Rodriguez agrees cut-price Everton transfer with confirmation of deal imminent

Everton are poised to complete the signing of James Rodriguez from Real Madrid after the Colombian agreed on a transfer to Goodison Park.

The 29-year-old has been keen to link back up with former boss Carlo Ancelotti and is fascinated by the prospect of joining The Toffees – even taking a pay cut to make the move.

Madrid were hopeful of securing a fee in excess of £30million for the midfielder, who has spent two of the last three seasons out on loan.

But the Los Blancos were reportedly happy to accept an offer in the region of £22m from Everton, who have secured Rodriguez on a significantly lesser salary package than he was earning at the Bernabeu in a real coup for the club.

He is set to put pen to paper on a three-year deal worth around £4m per year – approximately £76,000 a week, reports AS.

Rodriguez was the fourth biggest transfer in history at the time of his £71m arrival in Madrid in 2014.

His career in Spain has dwindled though and he barely featured under Zinedine Zidane last season after returning from his loan at Bayern Munich.

It was at Madrid where he worked under Ancelotti, who was in charge when he completed his switch from Monaco.

Sign up for the brilliant new Mirror Football newsletter!

From the latest transfer news to the agenda-setting stories, get it all in your email inbox.

Put your email at the top of this article or follow the instructions on this link.

Ancelotti only lasted another year in the hot seat but has finally managed to reunite with his former charge.

Rodriguez is due to be confirmed imminently and could be the first of a spate of signings announced in the next week or so by Everton.

Napoli midfielder Allan is due to arrive in a £25m deal as Ancelotti brings in another of his old players.

Who else should Everton sign this summer? Have your say below.

Talks with Watford are also reportedly ongoing for the sale of Abdoulaye Doucoure.

The Hornets are demanding £30m for the 27-year-old, who has interest from several Premier League clubs and abroad.

Reports in France suggest Doucoure has already agreed terms with Everton though, leaving just a fee to be agreed between the two clubs.

Sign up to the Mirror Football email here for the latest news and transfer gossip.