Bad news for Middlesbrough comes from Italy on Monday. After claims Aitor Karanka is interested in signing Gerard Deulofeu from Everton, the Italian media are lining up alongside AC Milan.
Ronald Koeman is said to now understand Deulofeu’s position on an exit, and his desire for a ‘new adventure’. Calciomercato really lay it on and say Deulofeu is ‘pushing, forcing’ for a January switch to Milan.
Everton, meanwhile, are in no hurry whatsoever and still haven’t given Milan an answer on their offer of a loan with a right of redemption. After turning down a simple loan it’s difficult to see how a right of redemption benefits Everton.
The right would be Milan’s, there’d be no obligation, the only side that benefits is the Italian one. With a redemption right Milan could get Deulofeu for a fixed fee in the summer, walk away from the deal, or even try to negotiate the price downwards.