In terms of real ‘wow’ moments, James Rodriguez moving to Everton has taken that trophy so far in this summer transfer window.
The Colombian’s arrival at Goodison Park has undoubtedly made people stand up and take notice, particularly with Everton parading their new capture all around the world.
From both a commercial aspect and a sporting one, Rodriguez is the most significant player to rock up at Everton in some time – perhaps ever – but that did not stop some from questioning the move.
Chief among the complaints was Everton paying a reported €25m for a 29-year-old player in the final year of his contract, with the debate being that did not make smart financial sense for a club whose finances are tight as it is.
However, if Foot Mercato are to be believed, the reported figure is far from from the one Everton actually paid.
According to their information, Real Madrid were exceptionally keen to get rid of Rodriguez this summer and, knowing the player’s desire to reunite with Carlo Ancelotti, strove to make it happen.
They didn’t want to risk the player ‘bouncing elsewhere’ and so ‘offered the Colombian international on a platter to Everton’ to make a move happen.
That platter was a free transfer. FM report that the Blues ‘did not spend a single Euro’ to sign the Colombian – despite the fact the deal was ‘announced’ at €25m – with the ‘only condition’ being that Madrid would earn a percentage of a future resale.
Everton ‘did not bat an eyelid’ at that chance and quickly closed the deal, which, if this is true, you can hardly blame them for.
Now, here at Sport Witness, we tend to take these sort of rumours with a huge pinch of salt, and we won’t treat this any differently.
It’s been established Madrid are trying to raise cash by selling players they don’t want this summer and Rodriguez fit into that category, so letting him go on a free would make no sense.
However, he was on massive wages at the Bernabeu, and there’s every chance that getting those off the books this year by letting him go to Everton was worth it to them, as opposed to risking him not leaving by demanding too much from the Blues.
Either way, Everton are pretty happy with what they’ve got, although if they have managed to sign Rodriguez on a free, it’s fair to suggest they’re probably elated.
