AC Milan want to take the 22-year-old to the San Siro.
It was reported earlier this week that AC Milan had seen an offer for Everton star Gerard Deulofeu rejected, and CEO Adriano Galliani has now revealed why the deal is stalling, as quoted by Football Italia.
Deulofeu has been strongly linked with a move away from Goodison Park this month, having started just one game under Ronald Koeman since mid-October.
The talented Spaniard is out of favour under the Dutch boss, who it seems does not count the 22-year-old in his plans as a first-team regular.
That has led to much talk that the former Barcelona man could leave Merseyside before the end of January, with Serie A giants AC Milan allegedly the frontrunners for his signature.
However, the San Siro side had an offer, thought to be a loan deal, for the star rejected by the Toffees this week.
Now, Galliani has spoken out about the delay to the deal by explaining, as quoted by Football Italia, that the issue is not so much valuation as the two clubs wanting different things from the deal.
Galliani said: “It’s neither getting more complicated nor more simple. The positions are very simple: we’re offering a straight loan, or a loan with an option to buy. They’re asking for a loan with obligation.
“You’re all well aware that we can’t do loans with obligations because of contractual commitments [with the new owners].
“I’m ready for anything – the only thing we can’t do is a loan with obligation.”
It seems that while Everton are willing to let Deulofeu go, they want assurance that they will receive a sizeable fee for the star in the summer at the very latest.
Milan are clearly keen to see Deulofeu in action every week over the next few months before they make a decision, but the Toffees’ insistence on a commitment upfront could prove to be an impasse in negotiations.
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