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The former Everton man is back on the market

Former Everton man, James Rodriguez, has reportedly 'ripped up' his contract with São Paulo and is eager for a return to Europe. So, in what has already been a tumultuous and unpredictable summer for the Blues, could the Colombian find himself back in a blue shirt on Merseyside?

In spite of his infamous injury issues while at Everton, Rodriguez looks to be somewhat back to his best. The Colombian international guided his nation to the final of the CONMEBOL Copa America, being named the tournament's best player in the process. The number 10 scored in the Quarter Final vs Panama and provided six assists across the competition - a new record for a player in a single tournament.

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The 33-year-old has signed for three teams in three years since leaving Everton in 2021. After spending a year in Qatar with Al-Rayyan, followed by a season with Olympiacos, Rodriguez has now terminated his contract with Brazilian Club São Paulo and is back on the market.

Rodriguez has actually teased a return to The Toffees in the past. An Instagram post in May by 'evertonhub', which spoke about the player's unhappiness in Brazil, with the caption "Come home @jamesrodriguez10" prompted a response of "Last Dance?" from the player. The comment encouraged hysteria among Evertonians on social media as Rodriguez's return suddenly seemed a possibility.

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The Colombian arrived at Everton in 2020 with much fanfare and adulation as he was reunited with his former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti. In a single season for the club that still doesn't quite feel real, as in true painful Everton fashion, not a single Evertonian was able to watch him play in the flesh; the left-footed maestro, albeit in between countless spells out injured, displayed undeniable quality.

The Italian's marquee signing returned six goals and eight assists for the Blues - including a notable assist to Richarlison within three minutes of Everton's first win at Anfield since 1999.

The gifted playmaker became something of a cult hero during his all too brief stint at Everton, before he was frozen out of the team by Rafael Benitez and told to find himself a new club. Rodriguez spoke, last year, about his problematic relationship with the former Everton and Liverpool manager saying to Noticias RCN via Sport Witness: "When he arrived at Everton on the first day, he told me, ‘Go away. You are 30 years old and I want young people, who have energy’".

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Despite the wishes of many Evertonians who would love to see James Rodriguez sign for Sean Dyche's Everton, the move does seem unlikely. The club's stringent financial state, not helped by the latest takeover collapse, means it may be hard for Kevin Thelwell to budget Rodriguez's wages. On top of this, another former club is reportedly hoping for Rodriguez's romantic return with Porto looking to land the signature of the man who wore their colours from 2010-2013.

Dyche's keen interest to add to his team's wide options instead seem to be in the form of Wilfried Gnonto and Jesper Lindstrom. It's clear the gaffer is looking for pace on the wings so it could be fair to say that 33-year-old Rodriguez may not be top of the Englishman's scouting list. This, I'm sure however, won't stop Evertonians hoping that the former blue could return this summer.