JAMES RODRIGUEZ has been told he can leave Everton and is not in Rafa Benitez’s plans, reports say.
And the Colombian playmaker admitted his transfer situation is ‘complicated’ and he needs to play at a place he feels ‘wanted’.
Rodriguez, 30, hit the ground running after signing for Everton from Real Madrid last year.
But he was plagued by injuries and played just five times after February – scoring only once.
Everton have just appointed Benitez to take over as manager after Carlo Ancelotti left for Real Madrid.
And the Liverpool Echo say that Spanish boss Benitez doesn’t plan to use Rodriguez this season.
The report adds that Rodriguez will be free to leave if the right offer comes in for him.
The 30-year-old this weekend revealed all about his situation at Everton.
He told fans in a live Twitch video: “I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t know – I don’t know where I’m going to play.
“You know that in football and in life you don’t know anything, but all I know is that I’ve been training hard, preparing well, training for myself and that’s it.
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
“It’s complicated. (I will play) wherever I’m wanted. Someone has to be at a place they’re wanted.”
Rodriguez has featured in Everton’s pre-season friendlies – including at the Florida Cup in America.
But he was overlooked by the Colombian national team for the Copa America in Brazil earlier this summer.
Dream Team 2021/22
PLAY DREAM TEAM FOR THE 2021/22 SEASON!
- £100,000 in prize money up for grabs
- £50million budget to build your best XI
- Play in Mini Leagues against your mates, colleagues, etc
- Click here to play for FREE
- Dream Team app available through Apple Store and Google Play Store
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk