Report: Barcelona could sell former Everton winger Gerard Deulofeu after six months

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Gerard Deulofeu was supposed to finally make the step up when he returend to Barca from Everton this summer.

Gerard Deulofeu’s dream return to Barcelona has not gone to plan. After starting the season well under Ernesto Valverde, inspiring the 2-0 opening day victory over Real Betis, the erratic winger has already fallen down the pecking order and could be on the move again as early as January.

Mundo Deportivo reported on Tuesday that forgotten striker Paco Alcacer will be allowed to leave in the New Year and Deulofeu may not be far behind. The Spanish intentional has a contract until 2019 with a release clause of around £18 million.

Sport claimed last week that AC Milan, where Deulofeu impressed on loan from Everton in the second half of last season, want to re-sign the 23-year-old again in January to give him much needed game time ahead of the World Cup in Russia.

Spain coach Julen Lopetegui rates Deulofeu very highly, having previously worked with the La Masia graduate for La Roja’s Under-21 side.

It appears that Lopetegui is rather alone in his opinion of Deulofeu, however. His perceived lack of work rate meant he got on the wrong side of Unai Emery during a spell at Sevilla in 2014/15 while his former Everton manager Ronald Koeman seemingly couldn’t wait to get rid.

Deulofeu barely featured once Koeman took over at Goodison Park last season before being sent away to Milan in January.

Now, just four months after Barca exercised their buyback clause, Deulofeu could be on the lookout for another new club.