Report: Everton's James Rodriguez in Qatar for transfer talks

James Rodriguez has traveled to the Middle East for talks with a Qatari club about a possible transfer from Everton, according to BBC Sport's Alistair Magowan.

The Colombian playmaker joined the Toffees in September 2020, but he hasn't featured for them since a 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United on May 16. He's missed several Everton matches due to a coronavirus-related issue.

Rodriguez's contract is reportedly worth around £200,000 per week, and it expires at the end of the season. The 30-year-old was informed during the summer that he was free to pursue a move because the club was trying to reduce its wage bill, The Guardian's Andy Hunter reports.

"It's always up to the player," Everton manager Rafael Benitez said earlier in September regarding Rodriguez's future. "In the end, he has the final decision. Some markets are open and then we had some problem with the Financial Fair Play rules, so we need to consider any option and see what happens."

FC Porto, for whom Rodriguez played between 2010 and 2013, and Istanbul Basaksehir were rumored as possible destinations for the attacking midfielder.

However, Hunter reports that Al Rayyan - a team that former France and Paris Saint-Germain boss Laurent Blanc oversees - are now understood to be in the early stages of negotiations with Rodriguez.