Everton in advanced talks to sign Bayer Leverkusen ace Demarai Gray – Fabrizio Romano
Everton are in advanced talks to sign Bayer Leverkusen winger Demarai Gray, according to Sky Sports Italy journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Writing via his personal Twitter account on Sunday evening, Romano reported that Rafa Benitez wants the 25-year-old, who left Leicester to join Leverkusen in January for around £3million [Daily Mail].
Romano adds that the deal to sign Gray is at the “final stages” with the Toffees beating Crystal Palace to the Birmingham-born ace.
Out of the blue
We didn’t see this coming.
It’s all starting to kick off a bit at Goodison Park now with Asmir Begovic reportedly arriving as well as Andros Townsend [Alan Myers].
Gray joined Bayer Leverkusen in January but do Everton not think it’s a bit suspect the Germans are ready to sell the English winger already?
Not only could they make a loss on Gray with Times journalist Paul Joyce reporting the deal for Everton to sign him is worth £1.5million, but they also must have just given up on him so soon.
After joining Leverkusen in January, Gray went on to make 12 appearances for them last season in all competitions.
He scored on his Bundesliga debut in a win over Stuttgart and assisted goals in back-to-back matches versus Mainz and Augsburg.
However, Gray started just five times in the German top-flight at the back-end of last season – it’s hardly convincing.
Gray is always someone who was highly rated when he was younger but his fire burnt out a bit at Leicester.
Perhaps a new manager and a new start will do him good.
In other Everton news, Darren Gough has taken a huge swipe at Evertonians on talkSPORT.
Be sure to follow Goodison News on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on Everton and more exclusive interviews with Kevin Campbell.