Barcelona has €12M buyback option for Deulofeu, says club director

Barcelona won't let Gerard Deulofeu out of its orbit just yet.

Technical director Roberto Fernandez has confirmed the club can buy back the Catalan talent for a €12-million fee, which now seems like a bargain for a player reinventing himself at AC Milan.

Deulofeu has won admirers in Italy while on loan from Everton, scoring one goal in nine energetic Serie A appearances for the Rossoneri. He subsequently earned a call-up to Spain's national team for international fixtures over the next seven days against Israel and France.

"This is good news for us because we can buy him back for €12 million," Fernandez told Spanish radio, as reported by ESPN FC's Ben Gladwell. "It's good that we have this possibility."

News of a buyback option is nothing new. In November 2015, then-Everton boss Roberto Martinez said Barcelona retained the right to re-sign Deulofeu for €9 million after the 2015-16 season, and for the current €12 million after the 2016-17 campaign.

He has a contract with the Toffees until June 30, 2017, however, meaning his future is very much up in the air.

Milan fans have been impressed with Deulofeu since his arrival at San Siro in January. Showing a desire to track back and collect balls from defensive positions, the 23-year-old has become one of Vincenzo Montella's undisputed starters.

In reality, Barcelona could activate the clause and then flip Deulofeu for a quick profit should Milan be interested in a permanent transfer.

He came through Barcelona's vaunted La Masia academy, but made few appearances for the first team.