Demarai Gray could now push even harder for Everton exit after latest transfer news
Wolves winger Daniel Podence has signed a new deal with the midlands side and moved on loan to Olympiacos [Daily Mail, 5 September], paving the way for Everton winger Demarai Gray to make the move to Saudi Arabia.
Journalist Ben Jacobs reported on 3 September that, if El-Ettifaq failed in their move to sign the Everton winger, Podence would be their backup option. Now that deal is off the table, the Saudi Arabian club could go all out for their main man in a new twist.
Everton are keen on keeping Gray after turning down an offer from the side managed by Steven Gerrard, but his recent Instagram post hitting out at the club suggested he would push for the move which could now materialise.
Gray had been expected to leave Goodison Park this summer amid plenty of speculation linking him with possible Premier League moves as well as Saudi bids, but no move has materialised beyond the recently rejected bid.
Everton now view the Jamaican international as a key option on the wing, after Alex Iwobi left the club to join Fulham in a £22million deal on deadline day, leaving them short for cover. This U-turn has frustrated Gray, who was hoping to get a move away from the club this summer.
Should a move not materialise, Gray will likely be used as a rotation option, with Dwight McNeil and Jack Harrison likely to be the preferred wide options when both are fully fit. Sean Dyche notoriously likes his wingers to be hard-working and provide support for the full-backs.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Al-Ettifaq step up their interest in Gray within the next few hours, with the winger the highest name on their agenda before the transfer window closes on Thursday [7 September].
In other Everton news, a message to 777 Partners could cause more chaos behind the scenes at Everton.