Everton boss Rafa Benitez is ready to see James Rodriguez sold this summer.

Spanish journalist Edu Aguirre told El Chiringuito that Benitez has informed James he's not in his new season plans.

He stated: “On the first day of Everton's preseason, Rafa Benitez, Everton's new coach, has a meeting with James Rodriguez.

“In the meeting, he tells him the following - 'James, I am not counting on you, with me, you are not going to play'. So, James is looking for a way out of Everton.

“He would love to be at Everton and likes the English league, but if he is not going to play, he needs to look for a way out because he is 30-years-old, still feels young and wants to play.

“It is true that James is a bit sad and a bit disappointed with both the club and Benitez. There is a deep sadness there.

“He feels he is not being treated well and has given everything for Everton, but messages are now being leaked to make him throw in the towel.

“He has one year left on his contract, which finishes in 2022, and earns around €6m a year, and the feeling is that people are getting on his back and leaking fake news so that James leaves Everton.

“From now on, we will see what will happen because it's true James has a high salary, but there are formulas for that."