James Rodriguez pictured in Liverpool restaurant ahead of Everton transfer

James Rodriguez has been pictured in Liverpool as a move to Everton looks to be nearing.

The Columbian has been linked with a Real Madrid exit for several years having fallen out of favour under Zinedine Zidane.

Rodriguez first moved to Los Blancos when Carlo Ancelotti was in charge following an impressive showing at the 2014 World Cup.

He has since be reunited with Ancelotti when he was in charge at Bayern Munich.

And now the pair could be set for another reunion on Merseyside ahead of a move that is rumoured to cost Everton £22m.

Rodriguez was seen dining out in London with Willian and David Luiz on Thursday and has now been snapped with staff outside a Merseyside restaurant.

Everton are ready to continue investing as majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri sets about his ambitious plans.

Ancelotti arrived in December and is looking to bring some big names to Goodison Park.

Rodriguez is full of talent but made just 14 appearances in all competitions at the Bernabeu last term.

His signing would be a major coup for Everton however who have their sights set on European football.

Ancelotti is also looking to land the signing of Allan from Napoli.

The midfielder played under the Italian manager during his time at the Stadio San Paolo.

Napoli’s president has already said they are prepared to sell players if their market value is met.

Everton finished 12th in the Premier League last term and will face plenty of competition to climb the table.

The Toffees ambitions had been to break into the top six but the emergence of Wolves and Leicester has made their task even harder.

Everton begin their season with a visit to north London to take on Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham.