Classy Argentine on offer in return as new suitors swoop in for Everton star

Everton could be offered the chance to sign Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez as part of a La Liga club’s efforts to lure James Rodriguez back to Spain, according to reports.

Rodriguez joined Everton on a free transfer from Real Madrid in the summer. The move reunited him with Carlo Ancelotti, who had also coached him in Madrid and at Bayern Munich. The Colombia international has made an impact on Merseyside.

So far, Rodriguez has provided six goals and four assists from 21 Premier League appearances. But there have been doubts about his long-term future.

He recently insisted he is happy at Everton and thinks they can challenge for a European place over the remaining years of his contract. However, reports continue to surface claiming he could leave if they miss out.

The latest comes from Fichajes, who suggest that Sevilla want to sign Rodriguez.

After allowing Ever Banega to leave following their Europa League triumph last summer, Sevilla have had a void to fill for creativity. Currently just six points off top spot in La Liga, it doesn’t seem to have affected them too much.

However, the man they effectively replaced Banega with has struggled to settle in. Papu Gomez arrived in January after falling out with Atalanta.

He has scored twice in 11 La Liga games since that move, but only six of those appearances have been starts. He does not seem to have found much room at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan.

Hence, Sevilla could be willing to sacrifice him this summer. Their dream target is Isco, but if the Real Madrid man is out of reach, they will turn to his former teammate Rodriguez.

'James Rodriguez happy at Everton, despite the weather!' - Carlo Ancelotti

'James Rodriguez happy at Everton, despite the weather!' - Carlo Ancelotti

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti says James Rodriguez is happy at Goodison, even if he may complain about the Merseyside weather.

The deal would benefit Everton financially. Having not paid a transfer fee for Rodriguez, any amount they sell him for would be profit.

His market value is around €30m, but by including Gomez in the operation, Sevilla could lower it to €10m.

Rodriguez remains under contract until 2022, while Everton retain an option to extend that by a further year. The Toffees are not said to be keen to let go of their recent recruit.

However, a failure to qualify for Europe may affect their plans. Sevilla look likely to have European football next season and that will probably be of the Champions League variety, which may be more tempting.

But Rodriguez’s recent comments would seemingly cast doubt on their chances of luring him away from Goodison Park.

Everton looking at Coutinho

If Rodriguez does leave, then Everton will need to replace his creativity. Getting Gomez in return would help but reports elsewhere suggest they are also looking at someone who already has Premier League experience.

That man is Philippe Coutinho, who previously played for their rivals Liverpool.

His move to Barcelona has not gone to plan and he seems likely to be on the move this summer. And according to another Spanish source, Todofichajes, Everton could be a destination.

The two clubs have dealt with each other on several occasions before. The likes of Andre Gomes, Yerry Mina and Lucas Digne all traded Catalonia for Merseyside, for example.

Coutinho could follow if Everton can find the right formula of a deal. They would rather a loan with an option to buy or a permanent transfer to be paid in installments.

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