AC Milan will likely have to deal with Barcelona this summer if they have intentions to try and sign Gerard Deulofeu on a permanent basis.

The Spaniard arrived on a loan deal from Everton in January, and has gone on to establish himself as a key figure in Vincenzo Montella side’s push for Europe.

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His good form has alerted Barca though, who hold a buy-back clause in the contract with Everton which allows them to re-sign him for €12m.

Based on sporting director Robert Fernandez’s latest comments, it sounds as though the Catalan giants intend on taking the winger back this summer.

“Deulofeu is absolutely an option for the future,” Fernandez told TV3. “The club are firmly considering the option to bring him back to play for the first team next season.”

As noted by ESPN FC, Barca have until the end of June to make a decision on whether or not to exercise the €12m clause, although there is still a split in opinion on whether it will happen with the intention of giving Deulofeu a role in the first team at the Nou Camp, or to merely sell him on for a profit thereafter.

The latter scenario could interest Milan, as after Yonghong Li completed his takeover of the Rossoneri this week, it’s expected that the Serie A giants will have a big summer transfer budget.

Meanwhile, another player who is of interest to Milan is Fiorentina midfielder Milan Badelj, with the Croatian international long being linked with a move to the San Siro to secure a reunion with Montella.

As per Calciomercato, a deal for him is not out of the question as of yet as if Milan are unable to land Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas, then they could refocus their efforts on Badelj to bolster their midfield options.

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