Al Ettifaq to turn to Wolves ace Daniel Podence if Demarai Gray stays at Everton
Al Ettifaq will attempt to sign Daniel Podence from Wolves if Everton do not sanction the sale of Demarai Gray, according to talkSPORT.
The news outlet reported on their website on Sunday [3 September] that Everton have been given 24 hours to make a decision on Gray’s future.
If it is a firm no from the Toffees, it is claimed the Saudi club will switch their attention to Wolves winger Podence.
Messy situation
The transfer window remains open for Saudi clubs until next Thursday [7 September], which is making a lot of Premier League teams nervous.
This particular instance is a strange one, though, as for a long time it looked like Everton were more than happy to sell Gray.
However, due to the Toffees being unable to bring in any other players, it now looks like they want to keep the Jamaica international at the club.
That could make for an awkward conversation at Finch Farm as a result of a message Gray posted on social media aimed at Sean Dyche.
Gray has already passed a medical with Al Ettifaq [Asharq Al-Awsat], but that may well have been conducted without the permission of Everton.
It is a messy situation that could get even messier if Gray – as is now the norm – refuses to play for Dyche.
Alternatively, this may be a ploy by Everton to land as high a fee as possible for the winger, who has yet to feature in a squad this campaign.
Either way, we should get a better indication of the situation once Al Ettifaq’s supposed deadline passes on Monday [4 September].
In other Everton news, BBC journalist Shamoon Hafeez believes the Toffees should be grateful to one player in particular after drawing at Sheffield United.