Carlo Ancelotti has addressed the contract situation of James Rodriguez as talk over a new deal for the Everton playmaker continues.
The Colombia international is currently under contract until the summer of 2022 at Goodison Park, and the Blues have the option of triggering another year on top of that.
Some reports over the last few days have suggested Everton are ready to take up that option for the former Real Madrid star, but the manager was keen to suggest there was no rush.
Ancelotti told his pre-Aston Villa press conference: "We didn't talk about an extension, I'm not involved in this.
"His contract is quite clear, he has two years plus one option. And so I think we have time to talk about this because he has another year of contract plus an option.
"So I don't think we need to talk about this. Maybe in the next few months we can talk about this.
"I think he's happy here."
The Blues manager also discussed the possibility of investment in the summer as Everton look to continue improving their squad.
The club made a number of important signings ahead of the current campaign and rumours are already circulating around a similar influx of talent in the coming months.
Ancelotti added: "It's a club that has a clear project. In this clear project, you need to invest because you want to improve and be better in the future.
"We didn't talk for the next season at least, but we are going to talk in the next few weeks at least to try and improve the squad and to be better next season.
"This is the idea we have and that everyone in the club has. This season, I don't know how we're going to finish, but until now we've improved a lot compared to last season.
"The improvement was there, I think we can step up quickly if we have a good position in Europe for next season, but also we can step up and put in place a good programme for next season."
