Everton have turned down AC Milan’s initial loan bid for Gerard Deulofeu, reports The Guardian.
Deulofeu, 22, made a huge impression when he first joined Everton in 2013 but the Spain Under-21 international has dropped down the pecking order under Ronald Koeman this season.
Despite barely featuring under Koeman this season, Everton were adamant the former Barcelona academy graduate would not be leaving the club this month following Yannick Bolasie’s long-term injury.
However, Milan are not the only club interested in Deulofeu’s services, with Ajax and Middlesbrough also monitoring the situation and an improved offer could test Everton’s resolve, particularly if the Spaniard is keen to force a move away.
Deulofeu has only started four Premier League matches this season and hasn’t been named in the starting XI since the start of December. In fact, he hasn’t even featured in the league since then.
Even though he has failed to cement his place in the team on a regular basis, only six players have provided an assist more frequently than Deulofeu (1 every 248.6 mins) of those to have registered more than 10 in the last four Premier League campaigns.
For more stats on Gerard Deulofeu, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
