Everton should plot a move for former Barcelona winger Gerard Deulofeu from Watford who has spent two and a half seasons at Goodison Park.
The relegation of Watford will force them to make players sales. Ismaila Sarr is available for £40 million. Gerard Deulofeu may also be sold to generate funds for the Hornets. The former Barcelona man spent two and a half season in totality with the Toffees. The 26 year old was an excellent addition to the Watford since 2018 and now Everton must plot a return for Deulofeu.
Gerard Deulofeu has a very strange career graph. He graduated from Barcelona’s youth academy La Masia and made his way up to the Barca B team. In 2013, he was loaned to Everton in order to gain some first team experience. Deulofeu made a total 29 appearances that season scoring 3 goals and providing 4 assists.
Everton were heavily impressed and decided to buy him in 2015. The Spaniard this time became a regular name in the first team and repaid the faith with fantastic all-round performances. In January 2017, the winger was loaned to Milan as players like Cuco Martina and Theo Walcott joined the team.
During that time Barcelona bid farewell to Neymar and wanted Gerard Deulofeu as a back up option. So after his loan spell at Milan, the Spaniard packed his bags but never returned to Goodison and instead took the flight to Catalunya as Barcelona exercised their buy-back option. The return to Camp Nou was a failure and Gerard Deulofeu was sent out on loan again to Watford where he dazzled.
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The loan deal was made permanent in 2018 and since then the 26 year old has become a mainstay in the Watford attack. Now a separation looms over the heads of the Hornets as Gerard Deulofeu is not too keen to play in the Championship.
Crystal Palace have been linked to the 26 year old as they embrace for a summer sale of Wilfried Zaha. Deulofeu is said to be keen to return to San Siro but the Rossoneri have other areas to focus upon. Everton must consider bringing Gerard back, a player they are well acquainted of.
While he looked an inexperienced, unpolished youngster during his previous stints with the Royal Blues, this time he is well refined and possesses a huge threat in the attack. The winger is explosive and has the blistering pace to support his act. Capable of playing on either wing and even as a secondary striker, Carlo Ancelotti can unlock a number of possibilities with the key of Gerard Deulofeu.
The Spaniard is rated at £15 million and earns a modest £60,000 in wages which won’t be a problem for the Toffees. Marcel Brands must make an attempt to bring Gerard Deulofeu to Everton.
Will Gerard Deulofeu make a return to Goodison Park?