Ben Jacobs reveals why Everton rejected Demarai Gray exit as transfer timescale emerges
Everton blocked Demarai Gray from completing his move to Al-Ettifaq at the weekend, according to Ben Jacobs.
The CBS journalist tweeted on 6 September that the Toffees wanted the Jamaican international’s transfer to the Saudi side to be finalised on their terms and timescale.
He said a deal worth £8million for the 27-year-old forward was agreed on Tuesday (5 September), with it expected to be announced on Wednesday (6 September).
Broken relationship
It appears as though the relationship between Gray and Everton has broken down over the summer after both parties have been keen to get a deal done.
Although the Blues hold the right to let the player go whenever they want to, you would have thought they would have tried to get it done last week to ensure they had more money to spend in the market.
But instead, the rumours and negotiations have rumbled on throughout the past few days and it looks as though the club have made it clear to the Jamaican that he can only leave when they say so.
It sounds as though that will be soon, but with the Saudi transfer window closing tomorrow, you would expect the announcement to be made quickly to avoid any last-minute issues.
There is an argument that the forward could have played a role in the Toffees’ side this season given their lack of attacking options, but it appears as though no one was really keen on him sticking around at Goodison Park.
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