Gerrard strikes deal for Everton star after Dyche bites back over outburst
Everton wantaway Demarai Gray is set to get his wish after Al-Ettifaq agreed a deal to sign the winger.
The former Leicester and Birmingham star was linked with a move all summer but a switch away from Goodison Park did not come to fruition. Now, it is suggested that the Saudi side will pay around £10m for his signature and he will sign a four-year contract.
Gray has already undergone a medical with his future employers and his move is expected to be made official before the Saudi transfer window closes on Thursday, September 7. He will become Ettifaq’s latest big-name acquisition of the summer.
Steven Gerrard’s side have already signed former Liverpool stars Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum, whilst Jack Hendry and Moussa Dembele are also all among their arrivals. Gray will certainly be aiming to have a more cordial relationship with his new manager having been drawn into a bitter war of words with Everon boss Sean Dyche.
The 27-year-old took to Instagram with a short statement saying he felt ‘disrespected’ by his manager. Dyche then responded by suggesting that Everton would only sell him should terms be favourable for the club.
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As quoted by the club’s official website, he said: "Demarai made it clear that he felt he was getting a move [away from Everton] and he told us a move was done, which was interesting to hear from a player.
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"We reminded him of the truth of the fact that no moves are done without this club's say so. That's the truth of it. We look after these players; we look at all the different ways of looking after them.
"Mental and wellbeing is big, the tactics and technical, the physical. We look at all of that for all these players and we look after them. When it comes to a time like that then you go, 'Well, hang on a minute.
"'You made it clear you didn't want to train, you didn't want to be here, and you also said there was a move that was a done deal'. We said it's not a done deal because this club is the most important.
"This club will make decisions on the future of you as players and not the other way around. I think it's right to let our fans know that's the truth."
Gray is set to leave Goodison having made 75 appearances and scored 12 goals for Everton since his arrival from German side Bayer Leverkusen. He had a year left on his deal, with the option for a further season.
He is the latest in a long line of attacking options allowed to leave Merseyside over the past few weeks. Alex Iwobi joined Premier League rivals Fulham, whilst young strikers Ellis Simms and Tom Cannon were sold to Coventry and Leicester respectively.
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