Kevin Mirallas admits frustration after Everton blocked deadline-day Olympiakos return

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Olympiakos failed to strike a deal to bring Kevin Mirallas back to Greece with Everton only willing to listen to permanent offers.

The writing was on the wall for Kevin Mirallas as soon as Ronald Koeman replaced Roberto Martinez in the Goodison Park hotseat at the start of last season.

After just a few weeks at the helm, the Everton manager criticised both Mirallas and Gerard Deulofeu for a perceived lack of work rate and consistency, per the Liverpool Echo. Yet, while the Spaniard was shipped out on loan to AC Milan in January after falling out of favour, Mirallas remains on Merseyside.

Though, after being omitted from the Toffees’ squad for their 2-0 loss to Chelsea last week for ‘attitude’ problems (Liverpool Echo), that comes as a surprise.

The Liverpool Echo reported that Everton were willing to listen to offers for the Belgian international on deadline day but would only consider selling him on a permanent deal. Greek giants Olympiakos had got in touch about re-signing a player they lost to Everton in 2012 but, as they only wanted Mirallas on loan, were unable to strike a deal.

And that has not gone down well with Mirallas, who won the Greek league’s Player of the Year award as well as the Golden Boot before making the move to Goodison Park five years ago.

“I really wanted to come to Olympiakos, and we tried our best to reach an agreement that would suit everyone, including President Vangelis Marinakis, who did everything possible and beyond. But Everton turned a deaf ear,” Mirallas told Belgian publication DH.

“I am so sad that I have not been home and I hope that will be the case in the near future.

“I would like to thank all Olympiacos supporters for the many messages they sent me. And they must know that I love their club and, as I said before, one day I will come back to them.”

Mirallas started brightly at Everton but has struggled for consistency in recent seasons, playing only 13 minutes in the club’s first three Premier League fixtures in 2017/18.