Report: Kevin Mirallas out of Everton squad amid Olympiakos speculation

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Everton winger Kevin Mirallas has been linked with a return to former club Olympiakos after five years at Goodison Park.

In the early stages of last season, recently appointed Everton boss Ronald Koeman made it clear that he was not exactly thrilled with the efforts of maverick wingers Gerard Deulofeu and Kevin Mirallas.

Publically questioning the duo’s work rate, as reported by the Liverpool Echo, it was little surprise when the underused Deulofeu departed for AC Milan on loan in January. And reports at the start of the summer suggested that Mirallas could follow him out of Goodison Park.

With just a week to go before the transfer window closes, the Belgian remains on Merseyside but it remains to be seen whether he is still an Everton player when September rolls around.

Because The Mirror (live blog, 9:10am) reports that the 29-year-old has been excluded from Everton’s squad to play Chelsea on Sunday afternoon with the winger flying to Belgium instead.

The reason remains unconfirmed but recent talk of a return to former club Olympiakos, possibly on a season-long loan, is likely to increase with Koeman’s side travelling to Stamford Bridge without him.

Mirallas shone in his two seasons with Olympiakos between 2010 and 2012, winning the Greek league’s Player of the Season award and Golden Boot after plundering a career-best 20 goals in 25 games.

However, he has frequently flattered to deceive since earning a £6 million move to Everton five years ago (BBC), starting strongly but struggling for consistency in recent seasons.

Mirallas started just 23 Premier League games in Koeman’s debut season, netting a joint-low tally of four goals. And he has featured in just 13 minutes of the new campaign, the opening day victory against Stoke City.