Everton ‘close to signing Real Madrid playmaker James Rodriguez with Napoli’s Allan also set to join’

Everton are close to making a marquee signing in the shape of Real Madrid playmaker James Rodriguez.

The Colombian is very much out-of-favour at the Santiago Bernabeu and has been allowed to miss the start of Real’s pre-season to finalise his future.

And according to the BBC, the 29-year-old looks set to be heading for the Premier League in a cut-price deal worth more than £20million.

It is expected that Rodriguez would sign a three-year deal to join the Toffees.

A move to Goodison Park would see the midfielder reunited with Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti – with the pair having worked together at Real and Bayern Munich.

The Merseysiders are also set to announce the arrival of Brazilian midfidler Allan from Italian giants Napoli soon too for a reported £24.3m.

The Italian club’s chairman Aureolio de Laurentis has already said: ‘We are at the final farewell. Allan will go to Everton.’

Like Rodriguez, Allan has worked under Ancelotti before during the latter’s stint in charge of Napoli.