Newcastle have entered the race to sign Colombian creative midfielder James Rodriguez, according to the latest reports.
Italian outlet Calcio In Pillole claim the Magpies are looking to capitalise on his situation at Goodison Park after falling out of favour with Toffees new boss Rafa Benitez.
Transfer guru Ekrem Konur has also backed up that claim on Twitter, stating that Newcastle are set to ‘hold talks’ with the Blues over Rodriguez ‘at Steve Bruce’s request’.
The 30-year-old joined the Toffees on a free transfer from Real Madrid last season but looks set to leave this summer after Carlo Ancelotti re-joined Los Blancos.
Rodriguez sparked outrage amongst the Everton fanbase last week, telling his Twitch stream that he didn't know who the Toffees were playing ahead of his return to training on Monday.
He said: “I will start training on Monday, I think. On the weekend I will not play, I don't even know who Everton is playing, can you please tell me?
"I think it is away because the past was at home. Ah, against Leeds they play, away from home, against Bielsa, a difficult game, let's see what happens, hopefully they win."
The Magpies have brought in just one signing this summer in the shape of Joe Willock from Arsenal and if they were to acquire the services of the two-time Champions League winner, it would be seen as quite the coup for Bruce's side.
Rodriguez has won five league titles - three of those coming consecutively in the Primera Liga with Porto before heading to Monaco and bursting onto the scene the following summer at the World Cup.
He scored five goals to win the Golden Boot, capturing the attention of Real who paid a reported £63m that year, scoring 17 goals in his first campaign.
He then fell out with Zinedine Zidane, heading to Bayern on loan for two seasons before returning in 2019.
And the lure of Ancelotti brought him to Goodison Park, with the Italian’s exit this year appearing to send him on a spiral.
