Everton post-deadline day transfer news and gossip: James Rodriguez refused to budge on £200k wages to depart

Everton got their man on transfer deadline day when Salomon Rondon completed his move at the 11th hour.

The striker signed a two-year deal at Goodison Park and reunites with Rafa Benitez for the third time in his career.

Rondon was the fifth signing of the summer after Demarai Gray (Bayer Leverkusen), Andros Townsend (Crystal Palace), Asmir Begovic (Bournemouth) and Andy Lonergan (West Brom) arrived on Merseyside.

It proved a quieter deadline day than many expected at Everton in terms of incomings, though.

Although Moise Kean completed his return to Juventus and Niels Nkounkou joined Standard Liege on loan, the Blues did not strengthen further.

But since the window has shut, there have been other bits of gossip swirling around Goodison.

We round up the latest news.

Why James remained

James Rodriguez did not depart Everton because he refused to budge on his wage demands.

The Blues were looking to offload the Colombian throughout the summer after being told he was not part of Benitez's plans for the season.

Everton had hoped to use Rodriguez as a makeweight in a deal to bring Porto winger Luis Diaz to Goodison.

Rodriguez - who earns around £200,000 per week - would not to a pay cut, however. (The Athletic)

Another failed right-back attempt

Southampton snubbed interest from Everton for Kyle Walker-Peters.

The Toffees were keen to recruit another right-back to compete with Seamus Coleman throughout the window.

Having missed out on the likes of Denzel Dumfries, Nathan Patterson and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Benitez turned his attention to Walker-Peters.

But Southampton rebuffed Everton's offer, along with an enquiry from Tottenham. (The Telegraph)

Swap deal weighed up

Everton mulled over swapping Tom Davies with Sean Longstaff.

The Newcastle midfielder was heavily linked with reuniting with Benitez on Merseyside throughout the summer, having worked together at St James' Park.

Although Longstaff has less than a year left on his current deal, it still would have taken a sizeable bid to prise him to the Toffees.

But rather than paying a fee, a straight switch with Everton academy graduate Tom Davies was considered. (The Athletic)

Holgate offered

Staying with Newcastle, they were offered the chance of signing Mason Holgate on loan.

Everton are fairly well stocked in central defence with Ben Godfrey, Yerry Mina, Michael Keane and youngster Jarrad Branthwaite all options.

The Magpies were handed the opportunity to take Holgate but pulled out of a deal.

The centre-half has started two of Everton's opening three Premier League games this season. (The Telegraph)

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