Everton have been given a double boost in their audacious moves for Real Madrid ’s James Rodriguez and Napoli’s Allan.
Rodriguez was absent from Real’s return to training yesterday as he moves closer to completing his £31million switch to Everton.
And Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis claims Allan’s £25million switch to Goodison Park should be announced soon.
Rodriguez was missing when Zinedine Zidane’s squad assembled at their Valdebebas training HQ yesterday to be tested for the coronavirus and begin their preparations for the new season.
Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti managed the Colombia striker at Real and during his first loan spell at Bayern Munich and persuaded him to move to Merseyside in a phone call last week.
The Blues are finalising the terms of his move with Real and personal terms with the player’s camp.
Rodriguez, 29, who starred in the 2014 World Cup, believes he can rekindle his career in the Premier League with Everton after his difficult time at the Bernabeu and he scored just once in 14 appearances last season.
Ancelotti will also be reunited with Allan at Goodison and he spent 18 months working with the Brazil midfielder before his sacking last December.
De Laurentiis, who had previously said Everton would not breach Napoli’s “impenetrable armour” to sign Allan, claims the club have said goodbye to the South American.
“We are at the final greetings,” he told local radio. “Allan will go to Everton. The deal will be announced soon.”
Allan, 29, who has nine caps, joined Napoli from Udinese in 2015 and helped them qualify for the Champions League and win the Coppa Italia last season.
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