In this May 16, 2021 photo, Everton's Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez (right) shoots past Sheffield United's English defender Chris Basham (left) but fails to score during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Sheffield United at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England. (GARETH COPLEY / POOL / AFP)

RIO DE JANEIRO - Botafogo is in talks with Al-Rayyan about the possibility of signing Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez, according to media reports in Brazil.

The Rio de Janeiro club has offered $5.3 million to prise the 30-year-old away from the Qatari outfit, the newspaper O Globo reported.

It added that Rodriguez was open to the offer, though he is understood to prefer a return to Europe.

Rodriguez is contracted to Al-Rayyan until next June. He has made just 14 appearances and scored six goals since joining the club from Everton last September.

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Botafogo is currently seventh in Brazil's 20-team Serie A standings, having earned a promotion to the top flight last November.

The two-time top-flight champion has made a number of high-profile signings since American businessman John Textor purchased a majority stake in the club in December.