Ex-Real Madrid star to make shock return to Europe

Tom Weber

• 5 Feb 2024 21:47 GMT
• 3 min read

James Rodriguez's time in Europe may not be over just yet.

The former Real Madrid and Bayern man's spell at the top of the game is over and it has been for some time. The Colombian megastar, who was bought by Los Blancos off the back of a stunning 2014 World Cup, never quite managed to consistently live up to his potential and his career petered out in recent years.

After a surprising stint at Everton in 2020/21, in which he actually performed quite well, notching six goals and five assists in 23 games, the 32-year-old toured the world, first signing for Qatari side Al-Rayyan, then joining Greek giants Olympiacos before ending up in Brazil at Sao Paulo.

However, just seven months after returning to South America, Rodriguez could be on his way back to Europe. The veteran midfielder has failed to really acclimatise to his new surroundings and could be on the way out, according to Globo Esporte. Already back in December, he refused to rule out leaving the club despite being under contract until 2025.

Rodriguez to Turkey?

Obviously, many of Europe's transfer windows have already shut, though there is one big exception: Turkey. According to the above-mentioned report and Turkish media, Besiktas are in talks with Rodriguez and Sao Paulo over a move for the 32-year-old.

The former Monaco and Porto starlet could be the latest of a string of big-name players to seal late winter moves to Turkey. Ex-Spurs and Nottingham Forest man Serge Aurier recently joined Galatasaray, while Man Utd's Christian Eriksen is reportedly also being courted by last season's Super Lig champions.

As for Besiktas, they have just announced the signing of Forest defender Joe Worrall, who has joined up with the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Rodriguez's former Everton teammate Cenk Tosun. The Istanbul giants are currently coached by ex-Portugual boss Fernando Santos.