Stalemate over Deulofeu

Gerard Deulofeu is at the centre of a transfer triangle.

The midfielder has just ended a loan stint with AC Milan and is due back at Everton with Barcelona having an option to buy him back after selling him back in 2015.

Confusingly all three clubs are keen to have Deulofeu in their colours next season.

Barcelona have until the end of June to activate a 12 million euros clause in his contract that puts Deulofeu’s career in limbo until that deadline passes.

Ronald Koeman has been lukewarm in his praise for the midfielder but may reassess that opinion as he attempts to bring players in to Goodison during the transfer window.

Everton have struggled to bring in the sort of players that Koeman requires and is also facing a battle to hand on to Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley.

AC Milan are also keen on making Deulofeu’s move permanent but are powerless to do anything until a decision is made by Barcelona.