Barcelona to re-sign Gerard Deulofeu from Everton in €12m deal

The Catalan club have activated a buy-back clause which was set to expire

Gerard Deulofeu spent the second half of last season on loan at Milan (Getty)

Barcelona have decided to re-sign Everton winger Gerard Deulofeu, who will return to his boyhood club on a two-year contract.

The 23-year-old Spain international moved to Everton from Barcelona in 2015 in a £4.2m deal which included a €12m (£10.6m) buy-back clause.

Barcelona have now exercised that clause, which was due to expire after 30 June.

“Barcelona have exercised their right to re-sign the player Gerard Deulofeu,” a statement on the Catalan club's website said on Friday.

“In the coming days, the necessary conditions to complete the deal will be finalised with both Everton and the player. Deulofeu's contract with Barcelona is until 2019.”

Deulofeu spent the second half of last season on loan at Milan after struggling to earn regular playing time under Ronald Koeman.

The tricky winger impressed in Serie A, scoring four goals and registering four assists during his time at the San Siro.

Deulofeu is currently on international duty, captaining finalists Spain at the European Under-21 Championships in Poland.