Everton handed January lifeline after eight-figure deal secured for Demarai Gray
Demarai Gray’s eventual Everton departure will spell greater rewards for the Toffees than if he’d remained at Goodison Park.
Sky Sports (7 September) have reported Gray’s fee to join Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq was £10million – a huge cash boost for the sofa-searching Toffees.
With a hearing for alleged breaches of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules just around the corner (25 October), which could result in a points deduction, and in desperate need of investment, Gray’s departure could have far more benefits for Everton that any impact he’d make as a player.
The Toffees are looking for investors. They entered talks with MSP Sports Capital regarding a 25% sale of the club, but as The Athletic reported (23 August), the New York-based company withdrew from talks to invest £150million for the share.
Some hope emerged from the ashes of their disappointment when Farhad Moshiri reentered talks with Miami-based investment group 777 Partners, per i News (24 August). However, that has since hit a snag after the UK government raised issues with 777’s suitability for buying a Premier League side, according to the Daily Mail (30 August).
The Toffees need money, and they need investment. Their financial future is a source of much anxiety across Goodison Park, and £10million from Gray’s sale would do very little to patch the holes in the books.
But, in terms of reinvestment into the squad in January, it could be a lifeline for Sean Dyche.
While Everton spent decent money this summer on Beto and Youssef Chermiti, these payments are not due until the next fiscal year, as per Patrick Boyland (5 September).
This gives Everton a bit of wiggle room in terms of January spending and could mean this £10million could be reinvested into the squad to boost the side after Christmas.
Many have tipped the Toffees to be in another scrap this season, finding themselves in a familiar space: the relegation zone. If their fortunes do not change by January, £10million, plus anything else Moshiri can find in his back pocket, could be invaluable.
Relegation must be avoided this season. With the new stadium slowly but surely coming to fruition, and the stature of Everton, the hierarchy will do everything in their power to stay up. Shrewd deals are there for the taking and quality additions can be brought in at a low cost.
If Gray’s departure can help prevent that, even slightly, then it would certainly be worth it.
In other Everton news, a former Toffees target is in a “hellish situation” after his failed move this summer.