ROD MOVE A REAL SIGN OF BLUE INTENT

CARLO ANCELOTTI has backed a bold Everton move to bring Real Madrid playmaker James Rodriguez to Goodison Park on loan.

Everton’s new boss has worked with the exciting Colombian international at Real Madrid and at Bayern Munich where the 28-year-old (above) was also out on loan.

The midfielder, who spent two seasons in Germany, has not made an impact since returning to the Bernabeu and is not in boss Zinedine Zidane’s long-term plans.

It’s why Everton believe they have a good chance of bringing the player to Merseyside, initially on loan.

Rodriguez enjoyed a good working relationship with Ancelotti and it would be further proof the club’s £11.5million-a-year investment in the coveted Italian can pay off through player recruitment.

He was also lured to Goodison by major shareholder Farhad Moshiri with the promise that substantial funds will be provided to improve the squad.

It is also understood billionaire

Alisher Usmanov, who has sold his stake in Arsenal and is big friends with

Moshiri (left, top), has agreed to invest in Everton.

His USM Holdings business already sponsors Everton’s training ground and he is interested in taking up the naming rights for the club’s new stadium when it is built. Usmanov (left, bottom) was also present in some of the discussions in Italy with Ancelotti which led to the former Napoli manager agreeing to become Everton’s new boss.

It is further proof that Everton now have the finances in place to push to become one of the Premier League’s main players.

Signing Rodriguez will be a step in that direction.