Barcelona are set to retain Paco Alcacer’s services as a back-up striker next season, dashing Everton and Southampton’s hopes of signing the 24-year-old.

The former Valencia and Getafe forward has of course played second fiddle to Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez over the course of his two campaigns to date at Camp Nou, and now looks set to do just that again.

According to Sport, Alcacer will continue his role as a handy squad player and act as an alternate option to Barca’s big guns.

Indeed, after missing out on the signing of Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid, Alcacer’s future was all but secured despite interest from the Premier League.