Everton in ‘advanced negotiations’ for signing – And it’s all down to Carlo Ancelotti

Everton are being linked with James Rodriguez by media around the world, and it’s been that case for some weeks.

This weekend, Italy’s Il Giornale, via AreaNapoli, have reported the Toffees are in ‘advanced negotiations’ for the signing.

It’s explained Carlo Ancelotti was insistent Napoli sign the player last summer, but the club wouldn’t back him. Now it’s thought he’s getting a better response from those in charge at Goodison Park.

Of course, similar has been said previously, but AreaNapoli’s look at the situation is intriguing. They explained Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis blocked the move, feeling the club were being asked for too much money.

They’ve dug out a De Laurentiis quote, in which he said: “What I don’t understand is why Bayern Munich, which makes three times what Napoli makes, must be loaned and we are asked for €42m.”

That would back two things up, that Napoli and, by extension, Ancelotti, were genuinely keen on signing James Rodriguez from Real Madrid, and that the asking price was €42m.

If it was €42m last summer then there’s every chance it’ll be less this time around, and not look so unreasonable for Everton.