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Everton winger Gerard Deulofeu could push for a permanent move to AC Milan but Barcelona would still have to sanction his Goodison exit says the player’s agent.

Gines Carvajal, Deulofeu’s representative, said: “He is very happy to be at Milan, so I certainly wouldn’t rule out him pushing to remain here after the loan spell.

“We often speak and he seems almost surprised at how well he has settled in at Milan. The squad welcomed him, he likes the city, the club infrastructure and the fans.

“I was certain of Gerard’s quality as he is a great player, but I did not expect him to have such a good start at Milan.

“It took a long time for him to arrive, but the determination of Rocco Maiorino, president Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani had a decisive role.

“Vincenzo Montella really wanted him and it was the right choice to make. Gerard immediately felt the confidence of him and that is fundamental to doing well.”

The player, who turns 23 next month, has netted eight goals in 75 outings for Everton but moved on loan to Italy during the January transfer window after falling out of favour under Ronald Koeman.

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Deulofeu’s last Blues start came in the 3-2 defeat at Watford on December 10 but he netted his first goal for Milan in the 2-1 win over Fiorentina on Sunday in his fifth appearance for the club.

His former team Barcelona have buy-back options in his Everton contract which they would have to waive before any switch to the San Siro could be finalised but Galliani concedes the Catalan giants have other more urgent matters to contend with although he admits a return to the Camp Nou seems unlikely.

He told Calciomercato: “So far nobody from Barcelona has contacted us, but clearly his future does depend on what they want because they do have this option.

“His partner is staying in Barcelona - she is pregnant and can’t really travel at the moment, so their daughter will be born in Barcelona.

“But I wouldn’t be so sure that [re-joining Barcelona] is going to happen.

“Right now Barcelona have other things to think about. They need to get back on their feet in LaLiga and overturn the 4-0 Champions League defeat to Paris St Germain.”