Deulofeu leaves Barcelona, Escriba looks set for Getafe bench

Barcelona, June 26 (IANS) Spanish football club Barcelona confirmed the sale of winger Gerard Deulofeu to English Premier League side Everton for around $6.5 million.

The 21-year-old returned to the club where he had a moderately successful loan spell under the guidance of coach Roberto Martinez in the 2013-14 season, reports Xinhua.

Last season saw him loaned out to Sevilla but he failed to live up to expectations and with players such as Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez in the Barcelona attack, Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has no need for a player whose temperament, if not his talent, has sometimes been questioned.

Thursday also saw Fran Escriba rescind his contract with Elche, who he led to promotion to the La Liga and maintained in the top category for two seasons only for the club to be relegated at the start of this month for late payment of debts to the Spanish treasury and players.

Elche have also been sanctioned by not being allowed to make any new signings this summer as a result of passing the wage limit set by the Spanish football league. Escriba, meanwhile, is expected to be announced as the new coach of Getafe in the coming days.

Former Sevilla defender Juan Cala has become Granada’s first signing of the summer, even though the club has yet to confirm who will be their first team coach for the coming season.

Malaga have also made another signing with Brazilian striker Charles joining from Celta Vigo to help cover the departure of Juanmi, Samu Garcia and Samu Castillejo, who have all left the club this summer.