Marcus Bent has exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that James Rodriguez couldn't turn down a return to Real Madrid.

Rodriguez arrived at Goodison Park from the Spanish giants 12 months ago but has been linked with a return to Madrid following the re-appointment of Carlo Ancelotti last month.

He only signed a two-year contract when he made the switch to the Premier League, meaning he recently entered the final 12 months of that deal.

And according to the Daily Mail, the Colombian is keen on reuniting with Ancelotti already, who he has been signed by twice previous in his career – the first being for Madrid from Monaco in 2014.

Rodriguez made a bright start to life at Everton, contributing six goals in his first five Premier League games as Ancelotti's men topped the table during the early parts of the season.

But injuries and a loss of form made for a frustrating final few months for the 29-year-old, and therefore Bent wouldn't blame him for leaving Everton.

He told The Transfer Tavern:

"Ancelotti liked him, going to Real Madrid, and wanting to sign him.

"If social media are talking sense, then that's where you want to go – you can't turn down Real Madrid. And if you've got to go, you've got to go."