Benitez admits Everton must sell players to meet Financial Fair Play rules

Rafa Benitez has stated that the Premier League’s Financial Fair Play rules need Everton to sell players before continuing with their transfer business this summer.

So far in the window, the club has brought in three new players in Asmir Begovic, Andros Townsend, and Demarai Gray, but has only spent £1.7 million in total in what has been a difficult few weeks.

Everton are interested in a number of players, including a new right back, winger, and midfielder, but they are now under pressure to show a number of first-team players the exit door in order to spend more.

‘The reality is that we know the financial fair play rules are there and we have to follow them,’ Benítez said. ‘I know what is the situation and we will try to do our best with the players we have.

‘If we can strengthen our squad we will try to do it. In these circumstances we have to move players on – that is simple to understand.’

After Carlo Ancelotti left for Real Madrid, Sportsmail revealed in June that Rodriguez was being pursued by clubs throughout Europe, with AC Milan being the most likely destination.

Porto has already indicated interest, and Rodriguez, whose weekly salary is roughly £220,000, has stated that he only wants to play for a club where he is “wanted.”

He told fans on a live Twitch stream: ‘I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t know – I don’t know where I’m going to play.

‘You know that in football and in life you don’t know anything, but all I know is that I’ve been training hard, preparing well, training for myself and that’s it.

‘It’s complicated. [I will play] wherever I’m wanted. Someone has to be at a place they’re wanted.’

Rodriguez’s departure would improve Everton’s current predicament, and the manager has not ruled out bringing in more players before the transfer deadline.

‘I’m sure that if you asked, the majority of the managers want to improve, want to strengthen their squad,’ he added.

‘It still is early, we have to wait a little bit until the end of the transfer window. But I’m happy with the way the players are training, the way we are working, and hopefully we can replicate that on the pitch.’