While a return to Barcelona may be off, should Everton be keeping hold of Gerard Deulofeu anyway?
Everton’s Gerard Deulofeu
The future of Gerard Deulofeu remains uncertain, with Barcelona stalling over a deal to bring the Everton winger back to the Camp Nou.
Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo reports that while Barca have an option to buy back Deulofeu – who came through their academy – they are holding out on a deal to sign Ousmane Dembele from Borussia Dortmund instead.
Borussia Dortmund’s Ousmane Dembele in action with Benfica’s Andreas Samaris
Therefore the 23-year-old may be left in limbo, with Toffees manager Ronald Koeman unconvinced by the Spain international when he arrived at the club last summer, resulting in loaning him to AC Milan in January.
However, the form of Deulofeu in Italy should convince Koeman that the attacker is at least worth another try at Goodison Park, especially if no other clubs are coming in for him.
Everton manager Ronaldo Koeman
The Spaniard scored four goals and provided three assists in 17 Serie A matches for Milan in the latter part of the 2016/17 season.
Added to that the fact Yannick Bolasie is out injured until at least the end of the year and Ademola Lookman is still in the development phase, Deulofeu could provide much needed support and competition out wide to Kevin Mirallas.
Everton’s Gerard Deulofeu in action with Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld
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