Everton transfer news as £24m wage development emerges over Gray move
Everton winger Demarai Gray is set to receive £19.2million over the course of four seasons at Al-Ettifaq after he completes his £10million move, according to Khaled Al-Rasheed.
The Saudi Arabian journalist shared via his Twitter account that, as well as the wages amounting to around £4.8million per season, Gray will also receive a further £4.8million as a signing bonus upon his arrival.
Everton agreed a £10million deal to sell Gray after the winger made a public statement regarding his desire to leave, with the Saudi transfer window set to close on 7 September.
Both parties can benefit from the move
With Gray set to make around £24million in total from his move to Saudi Arabia, as well as a starting place in Steven Gerrard’s side almost guaranteed, it is clear to see why he preferred a move away from Goodison Park after not attending Everton training over the summer.
Everton will be left short of options on the wing, particularly after Alex Iwobi made a £22million move to Fulham on deadline day, but the £10million received for the Gray deal will benefit the club financially as the threat of Financial Fair Play looms over them.
After such a public falling out between Gray and the club, it would have made little sense for the club to stand their ground on their decision not to sell. Ultimately, only players that want to represent the club should be kept.
The view of the fans as well as the club will be: if you don’t want to play for Everton, you don’t deserve to. Gray has handled this summer very poorly and will have left a sour taste in the mouths of fans, but the club will still benefit from his exit.
In other Everton news, the club have been hit by more injury news.