Everton transfer news: Gray exit ‘likely’ as ‘good offer’ arrives

Demarai Gray is “likely” to leave Everton this summer with four clubs vying for his signature, according to Alan Myers.

Sky Sports had reported earlier on Sunday (25 May) that Saudi side Al Hilal were looking to add the Jamaica international to former Wolves star Ruben Neves as they target Premier League players, with talks planned for the coming week.

Three Premier League sides are also believed to be interested in signing the Toffees winger, who has just a year left on his contract, and it now looks like he will leave during the current window as Myers has heard that the Saudi offer is a good one.

The Sky Sports reporter said on Twitter Sunday evening (25 June): “Four clubs in for Demarai Gray, including Al Hilal with what has been described as a ‘good offer’ looks likely he will leave the club this summer.”

Shame

It looks like Everton, despite endlessly needing more of a threat in attack, are set to lose yet another weapon before they have a chance to add anyone.

Gray fell out of favour somewhat under Sean Dyche as the Toffees boss preferred his former Burnley charge Dwight McNeil on the wing, but is one of few in the Everton squad who can put defences on the back foot.

If he is set to move on then the club will have to hope they can cash in on the new rush from Saudi Arabia and potentially free themselves up to bring in some replacements, after Neves departed for £47million with a year left on his own deal [Sky Sports, 24 June].

Everton won’t get that much but a “good offer” could be a bonus development when English sides would likely have been hoping for a bargain.

But with Anthony Gordon sold in January and Andros Townsend’s contract expiring there is a dearth of wide options at Goodison Park now just as there is at striker.

Dyche is going to need all the help he can get in the transfer market so if he can get a cash boost for a player who he has so far seen as his third-choice winger, also behind Alex Iwobi, it might be a solid deal on balance, so the negotiating prowess that has apparently moved Farhad Moshiri to keep Bill Kenwright around will need to be put to work.

However, it has proven easier said than done to get attacking recruits through the door and the Gordon money went nowhere in the winter, so until replacements start arriving and actually signing contracts this could make the manager nervous about his options

In other Everton news, exit demands attributed to another Goodison ace have been disputed but interest is reportedly very real.