Demarai Gray and Andre Gomes Everton exit verdict issued after failed deadline day transfers – Alan Myers
Demarai Gray “isn’t expected to move now” despite the Saudi transfer window staying open after Everton kept him on deadline day, according to Alan Myers.
The Sky Sports journalist responded to questions from supporters on Twitter the morning after (2 September) to give his verdict on the next step for the winger, to be “in the squad and available” having not secured his expected departure, with the same also applying to Andre Gomes.
Gray, 27, had looked like he was set to leave for a large part of the window, having come close to a Fulham move before Saudi teams became most likely towards the end.
But after Alex Iwobi was then sold to Fulham instead late on Friday night for £22million Gray looks set to remain.
Gomes, 30, was subject of a late offer to return to Lille after spending last season on loan there but apparently saw his move collapse after the failure to bring in Leander Dendoncker from Aston Villa on the final day.
Needed
At this stage it looks like Sean Dyche probably can’t afford to let Gray leave because no winger signings were secured on the final day despite hopes of a busy close to the window.
Iwobi leaving, plus Jack Harrison arriving injured from Leeds United earlier in the window has left the manager short of wide options.
Reigniting interest in Willy Gnonto on Friday went nowhere, and Kamaldeen Sulemana wasn’t brought in from Southampton, so even though Dwight McNeil is back sooner rather than later Gray looks like he’ll be required.
It would be more of a surprise to see Gomes on the pitch in an Everton shirt imminently, since he has an injury too, and given his role in the team is far less defined and there are more central midfielders available.
If there was a late offer from Saudi Arabia, after interest earlier in the window, there would be logical reason to accept it still, assuming he was willing to go.
The fact that there were a series of departures on deadline day without any reinforcements arriving has put a bit of a dampener on the end of the window, and largely means current numbers are needed as Dyche looks to spark his side into life after a poor start to the season.
In other Everton news, a journalist doesn’t think the Toffees properly tried to make a success of their attempt to secure a late signing.