On June 22nd, Sky Italia explained AC Milan have identified Everton star James Rodríguez as one of the targets to replace Hakan Çalhanoğlu, who completed a move to Inter Milan this week.
Calciomercato now claim the 29-year-old could be an option for the Serie A side next season.
The attacking midfielder, who is said to want an exit this summer, is represented by Jorge Mendes and the super-agent also manages Milan forward Rafael Leão.
Carrying out a swap deal involving the Colombia international and the 22-year-old is ‘currently an idea’ held by Mendes.
The agent made a trip to Italy and held ‘a chat’ with the Rossoneri a few weeks ago. The report suggests more developments could be expected in the coming weeks, most likely on a potential exchange deal involving the duo.
In search of a successor for the Turkey international, Calciomercato add the Toffees player can be the ‘perfect replacement’ for Çalhanoğlu.
Rodríguez’s wages could be an issue, but ‘work can be done’ on this, considering he has a year left on his contract at Goodison Park.
Leão, on the other hand, has been ‘very popular’ with Everton for a long time and there’s been contacts in recent months. It’s not made clear if those contacts were between the two clubs or between Everton and the Portuguese attacker.
‘A track to follow carefully’, states Calciomercato, which indicates there could be some developments on this front in the coming weeks.
