“?Gerard Deulofeu’s Everton future remains up in the air after the Toffees rejected a loan offer from AC Milan for the winger.
The Toffees rebuffed Milan’s advances to take the Spain Under-21 international on loan until the end of the season, according to “?BBC Sport.
However, the “?Liverpool Echo claims that the Serie A club could return with an improved bid for Deulofeu, and that Everton could be swayed into agreeing to a temporary deal if Milan insert a clause to buy the 22-year-old at the end of the 2016/17 campaign.
Deulofeu has fallen out-of-favour at Goodison Park in recent weeks as Blues boss Ronald Koeman reportedly became fed up with the lack of effort exhibited by the ex-Barcelona starlet.
The Netherlands legend holds reservations over Deulofeu’s ability to press the opposition and track back to help out in defence when out of possession, and could now look to sever ties with the talented wideman if a suitable offer is forthcoming.
Milan’s Italian rivals Roma, as well as Premier League side Middlesbrough and Eredivisie giants Ajax, are also thought to retain interest in luring Deulofeu away from Merseyside, but no official bids have yet been made by any other party other than Milan.
Gerard Deulofeu move from Everton to AC Milan held up because Milan don’t want to pay loan fee
One possible sticking point in any deal, that would see Deulofeu leave, would be the clauses inserted into his Everton contract upon completing a permanent £4m move from Barcelona in the summer of 2015.
The Catalan giants have first refusal on any transfer to bring their La Masia academy product by to the Camp Nou but, considering Deulofeu’s disappointing form since his switch to England, Barcelona could waive the right to re-sign him – a move that would allow for a transfer battle ton ensue between other would-be suitors.
Deulofeu starred during a season-long loan at Everton during the 2013/14 campaign but, despite making 29 appearances for the Toffees, no permanent move was agreed between the Blues and Barcelona.
Upon his return last season, the forward notched a highly impressive four goals and 13 assists in 13 appearances, but his form rapidly tailed off as Everton struggled under predecessor Roberto Martinez.
His displays in the royal blue shirt have continued to disappoint this term too, with no goals and just one assists registered from 13 appearances and Koeman could now dispense with the winger if recent coy comments are anything to go by.
Speaking last Friday, the 53-year-old stated that some members of his first-team squad knew that they had “no future” under him at Goodison, saying: “Most of the players know the situation. Some players now in the squad don’t have that future for Everton.”
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