Gerard Deulofeu was expected to leave Everton this summer, but Ronald Koeman has suggested the winger could yet stick around.
Ronald Koeman has suggested to the Liverpool Echo that Everton winger Gerard Deulofeu could yet stay at Goodison Park this summer.
Deulofeu has been linked with a move to both AC Milan and Barcelona recently, with his Everton future firmly in doubt.
However, Koeman has confirmed that, as things stand, Deulofeu is set to return to Merseyside.
“Deulofeu has a contract with Everton. Unless something happens he will stay,” Koeman said.
“He needed some playing time and that was the reason we loaned him to Milan.
“If nothing changes I expect him to be at pre-season training. If something does change, then we will talk about it.”
Deulofeu was sent out on loan to AC Milan for the second half of this past season, after failing to nail down a place in Koeman’s team.
The Spaniard was in inconsistent form over the early part of the campaign, with Koeman deciding to shift him out on loan.
Deulofeu has impressed at AC Milan and there is still a section of Everton fans who would like him to be kept at Goodison Park.
Deulofeu has previously shown flashes of quality for Everton, but is yet to prove that he can hold down a place in the Toffees’ first-team over the long-term.
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