Football
Mike Whalley 8y

Gerard Deulofeu hoping to stay at Everton despite Barcelona clause

Gerard Deulofeu has declared that he wants to stay with Everton even if Barcelona try to activate a buyout clause in his contract.

The winger left the Spanish champions to move to Goodison Park on a permanent deal in July, a year after completing a successful season-long loan stint with the Toffees.

However, when agreeing to sell Deulofeu, Barca insisted that they had the option to buy him back for €9 million -- around £6.3m -- at the end of this season.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez confirmed the existence of the clause last week, adding that there was nothing he could do to stop the 21-year-old leaving if it was triggered.

But Deulofeu, who spent last season on loan in Spain with Sevilla before securing a return to England, insisted he was happy to stay.

He said: "I am so happy to be staying here for a long time.

"When I was here the first time, I loved Everton, and now I've come back. I hope to stay here for a lot of years."

Deulofeu has been one of Everton's key players this season, scoring two goals and providing eight assists.

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