Everton
Everton: Deulofeu deal confirmed; move for Danish midfielder fails; Toffees in Heaton tussle
Gerard Deulofeu’s move to AC Milan was finally confirmed – for the second time – yesterday afternoon, with the Spanish winger moving to Italy on loan until the end of the current Serie A season.
The 22-year-old midfielder has only featured a handful of times under Ronald Koeman this season, and his desire to gain first-team football has forced him to leave Goodison Park for the Italian giants.
Koeman doesn’t see Deulofeu as part of his future plans for the Toffees, and speaking at his press conference last week he said:
“I spoke to Gerard and it’s a difficult situation for the player. If he finds a solution to go and get game-time then it’s no problem.
“But the final decision will be down to the board.”
Deulofeu has made 62 appearances over his two spells for Everton, scoring five times.
Romelu Lukaku, close friends with the Spaniard, took to Twitter to wish his teammate luck in Italy.
@gerardeulofeu all those assists… i will miss them! Good luck my brother at @acmilan ?? pic.twitter.com/YQBMOCgfmK
— R.Lukaku Bolingoli9 (@RomeluLukaku9) January 23, 2017
With one midfielder leaving Goodison Park, it seems that Everton have missed out on the opportunity to bring one in, as a deal for Werder Bremen’s Thomas Delaney has failed to materialise.
According to the Liverpool Echo, Delaney’s involvement in Bremen’s 2-1 defeat against Borussia Dortmund last weekend means that he can’t move again this season – as rules state that a player can only feature for two sides in a single campaign.
Bremen had signed the 25-year-old from Danish side Copenhagen in summer, but hadn’t handed him his debut – giving Everton hope of snatching him up – but reports suggest that Koeman’s last-minute offer of £8 million did nothing to tempt the German side into letting Delaney leave.
Everton could be set to launch another offer in summer, in hope of signing the Danish midfielder.
Ronald Koeman’s side are also believed to be in a three-way race with Manchester City and Liverpool for Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton, according to The Sun.
Heaton has been in eye-catching form for Premier League new boys Burnley this season, well and truly playing his role in keeping the Clarets away from a relegation battle, and his consistent performances haven’t gone unnoticed by the Premier League’s leading clubs.
The 30-year-old still has three-and-a-half years left on his current contract at Turf Moor, and it is believed that an offer in excess of £15 million will be needed over the summer for Burnley to even consider accepting it.
Heaton has kept five clean sheets this season, including an incredible performance against Manchester United where he made eleven saves to repel Jose Mourinho’s side and rescue a point for Burnley.
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