Demarai Gray exit from Everton to escalate as £25m Sky Sports update emerges
Everton forward Demarai Gray could be edging closer to an exit from Goodison Park after a development in the club’s pursuit of Willy Gnonto.
Sky Sports reported on its live transfer feed on 16 August (03:58pm) that the Toffees have made a fourth bid worth up to £25million for the Leeds United winger.
That is likely to lead to a Toffees departure for the Jamaican international, who has been attracting interest from across Europe and other Premier League clubs.
There have been reports for a number of weeks about the 27-year-old leaving Merseyside this summer as Sean Dyche looks to freshen up his attacking options.
The Blues boss has already drafted in Arnaut Danjuma, Youssef Chermiti and Jack Harrison in the attacking positions, with there being no indication that he is looking to stop there.
That’s because he is desperate to add more goals to his side after they found the net on just 34 occasions last season – the second-lowest in the Premier League ahead of Wolves.
He wasn’t entirely convinced by Gray following his arrival at Goodison Park in January, with the forward notching just four goals – only one of which came under Dyche – in his 33 league appearances during the last campaign.
Sky Sports journalist Rob Dorsett reported on 31 July that the Toffees had agreed a deal to sell the Jamaican to Fulham, but that he wouldn’t be allowed to leave until the Everton manager has added to his squad.
That has led to the club chasing a deal for Gnonto as they look to add more pace to their attacking options after failing to score in the opening-day defeat to Fulham.
The 19-year-old has also been keen on a return to the Premier League after showing glimpses of his quality last season, where he scored two goals and laid on four assists in 24 league appearances.
He’s made no secret about the fact that he no longer wants to play for Leeds after Sky Sports reported on 10 August that he asked not to be selected for their game against Shrewsbury Town in the Carabao Cup on 9 August.
The news outlet is now reporting that Everton have made a fourth bid worth £25million including add-ons, plus a sell-on clause to sign the Italian.
If they can get the deal for the teenager across the line before the transfer window closes in just over two weeks, then it’s likely Gray will be allowed to move on.
In other Everton news, the club are looking for a premium transfer fee to let one star leave Goodison Park.