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Everton could end up making a small profit from the sale of Ramiro Funes Mori to Villarreal.

The 27-year-old sealed the switch to Spain on Thursday night and penned a four year deal with the La Liga side.

Reports claimed Everton have struck a deal worth €20m - around £17.5m - but the ECHO understands the fee the Blues received from Villarreal was lower.

Everton paid £9.5m to take Funes Mori from River Plate in the summer of 2015 and it is believed the transfer fee paid by Villarreal will see the club recoup that amount.

And various clauses and a sell-on agreement in the deal could see the Blues eventually make a small profit on the Argentina defender.

Funes Mori's sale will kick-start a summer overhaul of the Everton squad with director of football Marcel Brands and new boss Marco Silva looking to trim a 38 man group.

It is expected Silva will aim to start the new season with 25 senior players and after sanctioning goalkeeper Joel Robles' release on a free transfer, the Portuguese coach agreed to the sale of Funes Mori.

A decision on Wayne Rooney's future has yet to be finalised but he is expected to leave for DC United in Major League Soccer.