Former Everton star James Rodriguez has revealed that before leaving the Merseyside outfit, he received different proposals from several clubs. He mentioned Celtic as one of the sides that approached him for a possible transfer, before adding that he wanted something different from what the Scottish Premiership side were offering him and that was the reason that he had to turn his back on their offer. Rodriguez had a massive fall-out with ex-Everton boss Rafael Benitez, revealing that the former Liverpool manager was the main reason for his exit from Goodison Park, and he has also lashed out on the now-sacked manager for playing a part in his own exit.

Speaking in a recent interview covered by The Sun, Rodriguez, who was a star performer and the winner of the Goal Of The Tournament award at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, stated that he was enjoying life at Everton until Benitez came around and the whole situation changed. According to the Colombia international midfielder, Benitez introduced some tactics that were too difficult to follow comfortably and consistently, leading to a wild uproar and a lack of understanding in the dressing room.

Just before Rodriguez left Everton, reports surfaced that he had a fall-out with Benitez and their bust-up started from a minor disagreement in training. And after that, things never remained the same, with the player being dropped to the bench until he was able to finalize his exit from the English club.

Celtic, according to Rodriguez, tabled a reasonable offer that would have seen things work out with some more negotiation. However, some terms were introduced that he was not able to agree to and it led to the breakdown in the talks, meaning that he was not going to sign for them anymore.

Michy Batshuayi has struggled to establish himself at Chelsea, and the Blues are looking to offload him, with the likes of Newcastle United, Leeds United and Everton tipped as potential destinations. Journalist Sacha Tavolieri claims that the Blues are looking to get the 28-year-old Belgian international off their books permanently this summer. Batshuayi was on loan at Besiktas last season and he managed to score 14 goals and pick up five assists across all competitions. The struggling Chelsea forward needs to depart from Stamford Bridge permanently in order to play regular first-team football.

A move to Newcastle or Leeds could be ideal for the striker this summer, and it remains to be seen whether his suitors are willing to pay up for his services. If there are no clubs willing to meet Chelsea’s asking price for the 28-year-old, another loan move this season might just be on the cards. That said, the struggling Chelsea striker will be a free agent at the end of the season, and the Blues will not want to lose him on a free transfer. The west Londoners will hope to recoup some money from his sale before the summer transfer window closes.

Despite the links with Everton, there is a feeling that the Chelsea forward might not fit Frank Lampard’s system at Goodison Park. And therefore, Newcastle United and Leeds United are his best chances of securing a permanent exit from Stamford Bridge. Chelsea were initially linked with a move for the Everton attacker Anthony Gordon, and there were rumours that the Blues could include the Belgian striker in the transfer.

Newcastle United could certainly use more depth in the final third, and Batshuayi could compete with Callum Wilson for the starting spot. Meanwhile, Leeds are in need of a quality goalscorer as well, and the Belgian international could be a useful addition if he manages to regain his confidence and sharpness.

Life after football can be tricky for players, but it looks like retired Spanish striker David Villa has it all figured out after he embraced entrepreneurship after calling time on his career. David Villa retired from football almost two years ago on the back of his spell at Vissel Kobe in the Japanese first division.

David Villa has followed in the footsteps of David Beckham by buying into an American football franchise. Ex-England national team skipper Beckham is a co-owner at Inter Miami who failed to reach the playoffs in the Eastern Conference at the end of the recently concluded MLS regular season. Beckham was also a major influence in the appointment of former Manchester United teammate Phil Neville as the Inter Miami manager at the start of the 2021 MLS regular season.

Villa has bought into a new American football franchise known as Queensboro FC and they will make their league debut in the USL Championship next year.

As revealed earlier, Spanish football icon David Villa has been an entrepreneur since he announced his retirement from the round leather game at the start of last year. The investment made to own part of Queensboro FC is the latest in the series of investments made by Villa. The Spaniard is the co-founder of his own company known as DV7 Group. The DV7 Group is the head company for a sports marketing brand which has offices across the world. In addition, DV7 Group is also the head company for a soccer school.

David Villa was a clinical finisher as a footballer and he has proven to be as clinical with his investments. The 2010 FIFA World Cup winner ended his playing career as the leading goalscorer in the history of Spanish senior national team football with 59 goals in 98 matches.

AC Milan are the second best team in the Italian Serie A this season according to the league table and they have reduced thegap between them and leaders Napoli to one point after they returned to victory ways at Genoa in the latest rounds of games in the division.

Milan secured an impressive 3-0 victory at Genoa to move within one point of Napoli who had to settle for a 2-2 draw against home team Sassuolo.

Ahead of the Genoa game, AC Milan were on a run of two successive losses in the league starting with the 4-3 defeat at Fiorentina for their first bad result in the Italian Serie A this season. Fiorentina were able to hand Milan their first loss in the league this season via a 4-3 win thanks in part to the brace from star player DusanVlahovic. The 3-1 home loss to Sassuololast weekend made it two straight league defeats for the seven-time European champions.

Milan have been able to recover from the disappointment of losing two games on the bounce in the Italian Serie A thanks to the big win over the Andriy Shevchenko-led Genoa side. Club legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic set Milan on the way to the win inside ten minutes before Junior Messias added two goals, one in each half to lead his team to an important win in the race to win the league as far as the Italian top flight is concerned. Brazilian footballer Messias has now scored three goals in his last three Milan games in all competitions with the brace against Genoa.

AC Milan began the latest round of Italian Serie A games with a three-point deficit to Napoli at the top of the table, but that points difference between them and the leaders has now been reduced to a solitary point after the team from Naples could only play out a 2-2 draw at the home of Sassuolo.

Leaders Napoli are now on 36 points after 15 points, while Milan have 35 points after the same number of games.

Real Madrid arereportedly plotting a swoop on the Premier League during the January transfer window in the bid to boost their midfield optionsfor the second half of the season. Popular media outlet Fichajes says that Real Madrid are eyeing a move for Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi in a €60m deal.

Ndidi, 24, is an important player for the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Real Madrid might need to meet his value as revealed earlier to secure his transfer from the Foxes in the Premier League.

Real Madrid target Ndidi has been able to establish himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League since he moved from Belgian side Genk to Leicester City during the winter transfer window in 2017. He has been a key player in the Leicester City midfield for the better part of the last five years. Ndidi was seen as the successor to N’Golo Kante at the King Power Stadium and he has been able to live up to that expectation from the Leicester City fans.

Nigerian midfielder Ndidi is not known to be a prolific player, but he has still managed to score nine times in 187 Premier League matches. In addition, the Real Madrid target has provided 11 assists.

Fichajes revealed that Ndidihas been on the radar of Real Madrid for three years and the upcoming transfer window could be the right time for the Spanish La Liga giants to make their move for the Leicester City player. It was revealed that Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has been surprised by the inconsistent displays of Brazilian international Casemiro this season and Ndidi would be a good replacement for him.

Ndidihas two major trophies from his time at Leicester City and they were won this summer. The Nigerian won this year’s FA Cup title and this year’s Community Shield with the Foxes.

Norwich City defender Andrew Omobamidele is a bid doubt for the Republic of Ireland ahead of the visit of Portugal in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier. The Republic of Ireland are already out of the running to qualify for next year’s World Cup from Group A of the UEFA qualifiers ahead of the Portugal clash at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Thursday night.

Omobamidele, 19, made his Republic of Ireland debut as Portugal scored twice in the final minutes of the game to overturn a deficit and seal a 2-1 win at the expense of the Irish team. Manchester United talisman Cristiano Ronaldo was the recipient of the two Portugal goals.

Stephen Kelly is the Ireland manager and he talked about Norwich City defender Omobamidele during his pre-match presser on Wednesday ahead of the Portugal game. According to him, the 19-year-old Norwich City player is struggling with an Achilles problem and he would likely not make it in time to face Portugal. The Portuguese team need to beat Ireland to move closer to securing their place at the World Cup tournament next year.

While Andrew Omobamidele is doubtful for the Portugal game, Jayson Molumbyand Dars O’Shea have already been ruled out and they won’t be in the Republic of Ireland squad ahead of the World Cup qualifier against immediate past European champions Portugal.

Burnley defender Nathan Collins could be the man to replace Norwich City star Omobamidele at the heart of the Ireland defence if he’s eventually ruled out as expected. Ireland manager Kelly has already said he’s not optimistic about the Norwich City centre back facing Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal national team colleagues.

Collins played his first game for the Republic of Ireland on the way to a 4-0 win over Qatar in an international friendly encounter played last month. He’s on course to replace Omobamidele in the starting XI.