Gerard Deulofeu "very happy to be back at Barcelona"

Gerard Deulofeu celebrates scoring Everton's third against Stoke on December 28, 2015
© Getty Images
Gerard Deulofeu reveals that he will not be loaned straight back out by Barcelona next season as he intends to force his way into manager Ernesto Valverde's plans.

Gerard Deulofeu has claimed that he is "very happy" to have returned to Barcelona and was hoping to rejoin the club earlier in his career.

The 23-year-old has spent the past two years away from Camp Nou, where he struggled for playing time in his younger days after featuring just six times.

Deulofeu has flattered to deceive at times during spells with Everton and Sevilla, but a loan stint with AC Milan last term proved profitable as he scored four goals in 18 games to earn links to his former club.

After completing a switch back to Catalonia on Friday, the winger admits that he is now looking to potentially rival Luis Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi for a starting spot.

"I am very happy to be back at Barcelona," he told reporters. "It is my home and it was a shame I could not go back sooner. It is already decided. This year I will stay at Barca for sure.

"I am ambitious and I want to play with the best. I am very happy to have this opportunity that I have never had, to play in the first team of Barca."

Deulofeu played the full 90 minutes as Spain lost 1-0 to Germany in the European Under-21 Championship final on Friday night.

Barcelona's Paco Alcacer challenges Ruben Vezo of Granada during the La Liga clash at the Camp Nou on October 29, 2016
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2Barcelona382864116377990
3Atletico MadridAtletico38239670274378
4Sevilla38219869492072
5Villarreal381910956332367
6Real Sociedad38197125953664
7Athletic Bilbao381961353431063
8Espanyol381511124950-156
9AlavesAlaves381413114143-255
10EibarEibar38159145651554
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13Celta Vigo38136195369-1645
14Las PalmasLas Palmas38109195374-2139
15Real Betis38109194164-2339
16Deportivo La CorunaDeportivo38812184361-1836
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ROsasuna38410244094-5422
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