JAMES RODRIGUEZ’S former club Banfield have confirmed that Everton paid no transfer fee to Real Madrid for his services.
In one of the coups of the summer, the Toffees managed to lure the Colombian playmaker to Goodison Park on an initial two-year deal.
Everton midfielder James Rodriguez joined the club from Real Madrid on a two-year dealCredit: Getty Images – Getty
It was initially believed that Everton had forked out £22million to bring the 29-year-old to the Premier League.
But SunSport reported last week how the Merseyside outfit landed him on a free – despite Rodriguez having a year left on his contract at the Bernabeu.
And now his former club Banfield have revealed that Everton signed him for nothing, as they claimed they received no money from the deal.
Having sold the player to Porto in 2010, they ensured they would be due a small fee of the transfer for whenever Rodriguez joined other teams.
But in a statement from the Argentine side obtained by Marca, Banfield have insisted they have received no money from his latest move.
Club treasurer Ignacio Urquiza said: “After hearing the news of the transfer of James Rodriguez from Real Madrid to Everton, and attentive to the current FIFA regulations, the Club Atletico Banfield made the pertinent consultations to find out if it was their responsibility to collect money through a solidarity mechanism.
“Unfortunately for the pass of James Rodriguez from Real Madrid to Everton, Banfield does not correspond to money.
‘The transaction was made without cost, as if it were a free player.
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“The pertinent consultations have already been made to the two clubs involved and to the corresponding organisations.
“In all cases they confirmed to us that the club will not receive money as a solidarity mechanism.”
Rodriguez starred on his debut for the Toffees on Sunday as he was instrumental in the 1-0 win away at Tottenham.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
