The 22-year-old winger failed to win over Ronald Koeman and could be heading out of Everton again.
Everton could lose Gerard Deulofeu for just £10 million in the summer, Calciomercato report, with Barcelona set to exercise the ‘buy-back’ option in the winger’s contract.
The 22-year-old rose through the famous La Masia ranks at the Catalan club but has struggled thus far to justify his status as one of Spain’s most exciting young talents, having joined AC Milan on loan in January after falling out of favour under Everton boss Ronald Koeman.
Deulofeu’s talent is not in question though the Dutchman frequently demanded more application and work rate from the enigmatic attacker, something which also lead to him getting on the wrong side of Unai Emery during a forgettable loan at Sevilla in 2014/15.
Yet, Deulofeu has shown glimpses of finding his form once again at the San Siro, netting his first club goal since December 2015 by curling home a valuable winner against fellow European challengers Fiorentina on Sunday but, according to Calciomercato, he could be set for yet more uncertainty.
The publication reports that Barca will take the option to re-sign their former star for £10 million with the aim of immediately selling him on for a profit.
And, as former Everton manager Roberto Martinez said in quotes reported by The Guardian in 2015, the Premier League club will be powerless to prevent Barcelona from taking the youngster away from Goodison Park.
However, while Martinez was understandably concerned about Deulofeu’s inevitable exit with the winger finally starting to demonstrate his outstanding potential on a regular basis, don’t expect critical Koeman to lose too many sleepless nights.
Nonetheless, the fact that they could lose him for just £10 million, two years after signing him permanently for half the price, will sting. After all, at 22 he has time on his side and all the potential in the world.
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