Manuel Fernandes set to rejoin Everton

Former Benfica midfielder to leave Valencia

Portuguese midfielder Manuel Fernandes is set to bring an end to his turbulent time at Spanish side Valencia by rejoining Premiership outfit Everton.

The 21-year-old spent the second half of last season on-loan at Goodison Park, enjoying huge success and leading to the Merseyside club attempting to arrange a permanent deal. However, Fernandes opted instead for a switch to La Liga and an 18m euro deal at the Mestalla.

Thing have not gone according to plan in Spain, though, with Fernandes openly criticising manager Quique Sanchez Flores’ rotation policy early on, before his former Benfica boss Ronald Koeman took charge in December.

Koeman releases midfielder

Under the Dutchman, Fernandes has seen his opportunities further limited, while off-field problems, including an incident this week in a nightclub that saw him arrested and spend the night in prison, have led to the Dutch chief excluding the midfielder from his plans and sanctioning his departure.

As a result, Fernandes’ agent Jorge Mendes has now informed Portuguese sources that the player is due to return to Everton for the remainder of the season on a loan deal similar to the one agreed last term.

Fernandes is expected in the North-West of England imminently to undergo a medical examination, before making his fourth move inside the last 18 months. As was the case last year, Fernandes will find a compatriot at Goodison in the form of ex-Porto defender Nuno Valente.