03 September 2023 , 15:00
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Demarai Gray has launched an extraordinary attack at Everton boss Sean Dyche amid speculation over his future.
The 27-year-old was in talks over joining Fulham but the move did not materialise before the transfer window closed. Gray has also been linked with a switch to Besiktas and the Saudi Pro League.
Although the window is now shut in England, clubs in Turkey and Saudi Arabia can still make signings until September 15 and September 7 respectively. As well as Besiktas, Al-Shabab have been mooted as potential suitors, while Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq are trying to sign the Jamaica international.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Gray has taken to social media to express his frustration, having not played a minute under Sean Dyche so far this season. In fact, Gray's last appearance for the Toffees came against Bournemouth on the final day of last term.
Alongside a picture of him walking towards a car, he said on his Instagram story: "Everton fans have always been great with me but it's so difficult to play for someone who don't show you respect as a person."
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After Everton's 2-2 draw against Sheffield United on Saturday, Dyche provided an update on Gray's future and admitted he does expect him to stay at Goodison Park.
Explaining Gray's absence, Dyche said: "It was a bit of everything - his fitness, his fitness to play in the side, the situation around him and all of the noise.
"Hopefully over the next couple of weeks that will become clear and he will get himself fit as a starting point."
Demarai Gray has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia (Getty Images)When pressed about whether he thought Gray will stay, Dyche added: "I do at this time."
The Toffees have picked up just one point from their first four Premier League matches, after suffering three successive losses against Fulham, Aston Villa and Wolves, before drawing at Bramall Lane. They have scored twice in the process, with both of them coming on Saturday.
Dyche said of his side's performance: "I just reminded them of the performance levels of the first half. At 1-0 we were on the front foot and then we just came away a little bit and just got a bit sloppy with it and were just waiting for things to happen, which we hadn't done for the first half an hour so.
Sean Dyche during Everton's draw at Sheffield United (Getty Images)"I reminded them about that, about taking the game on again, taking it by the scruff of the neck, which we did do. I was really pleased with the start to the second half, the energy, the quality, I think we kept it up more or less through the whole half, the way we were dealing with it defensively, shifting the ball and getting it into key areas.
"Arguably, you want to score more because of the quality in the areas that we had and the play we had in the box...on the other hand, in the madness of football you can end up losing it."
As for Gray, it remains to be seen if he will still be part of the Everton squad for their next Premier League clash with Arsenal after the international break.