Gerard Deulofeu is Future Ballon d'Or, Says United target Rafinha

Gerard Deulofeu and Rafinha Alcantara have returned to Barcelona after seasons on loan at Everton and Celta Vigo respectively – and have been presented as new Barca players.

Deulofeu, who moved to Everton on loan from Barca in July 2013, is considered the best talent to emerge from the Catalan club's academy since Lionel Messi. The young winger played a key role in Toffees' success last season.

Even though Roberto Martinez wanted to keep him on Merseyside for another year, in a interview with IBTimes UK, Deulofeu expressed his desire to return to the Camp Nou – and since Luis Enrique took over as new Barca coach, made Gerard's return a priority.

Also Manchester United target Rafinha, who was on loan at Celta Vigo, has returned to Barcelona. And, according to Mundo Deportivo, he was very blunt when describing Deulofeu as a player, saying: "He is the future Ballon d'Or - What better definition than this?"

Last February, the same newspaper reported that former United boss David Moyes had earmarked the midfielder as one of his main summer targets – having failed to sign his brother Thiago Alcantara last summer. He decided to move to Bayern Munich.

The former Everton returned the compliment, by saying: "He [Rafinha] is a player with a big heart, who works hard for the team. We all know about his quality and I think he can give a lot to this club."

Both talents are very close friends as they have been playing together - excluding last campaign - for more than six years at Barca youth categories. They were crucial during Enrique's tenure as Barcelona B boss and he wants the pair to have a key role in his new adventure in charge of the first team.

Deulofeu started nine Premier League games for the Toffees in the past season, grabbing four assists and netting three goals while Rafinha has proven to be a sensation in La Liga scoring four goals in 27 starting appearances for Celta.