Everton are reportedly “ready to listen to offers” for Demarai Gray to raise funds amid interest from Premier League duo Fulham and Crystal Palace.
According to Football Insider, Everton are ready to sell Crystal Palace and Fulham target Demarai Gray, which will allow the club to offset their summer spending with his sale.
The winger arrived on Merseyside from Bayer Leverkusen back in 2021 and has since gone on to make a total of 75 appearances during his two years at Goodison Park. But there is a big possibility that the 27-year-old could secure an exit before the end of the ongoing transfer window.
The Jamaica international is in the final year of his contract, meaning this summer is Sean Dyche’s last chance to cash in on his prized asset, having so far failed to progress in talks over a new contract.
If Everton were not under strict financial conditions due to FFP and able to afford carrying a bloated squad, there would be no reason not to have the ex-Leicester City man as an option, having been his side’s third-best-performing forward last season and put on excellent performances at times when Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been injured.
However, with the club in a sell-to-buy situation, recouping a decent fee for a player who finished the previous campaign as the third-choice attacker is probably a sensible idea, especially considering rumoured target Wilfried Gnonto will be a huge upgrade and a more versatile replacement.
Likewise, the 27-year-old Premier League winner has reportedly grown frustrated after his minutes suffered during the second half of the season, with Dyche preferring Dwight McNeil on the left flank. The Jamaica international is now ready to leave the Toffees in search of regular football elsewhere and certainly won’t be short of potential suitors should he depart.
The Toffees winger was the subject of interest from Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal earlier this summer. But an extended Premier League stay appears to be his preference amid interest from Fulham and Crystal Palace.
Fulham, for one, are making moves in the market after being left in an awkward situation regarding Aleksandar Mitrovic, as he looks to push through a move to Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Pro League giants have had two bids rejected for the Serbian hitman but could make a third attempt worth around £50 million to sign him, with Fulham bracing themselves to reluctantly accept the imminent offer, indicated by the signing of striker Raul Jimenez from Wolves.
Marco Silva knows the Mexican may not score the goals that Mitrovic can provide at Craven Cottage. But he plans to use the money from Mitrovic’s sale to sort out the lack of squad depth in wide areas, making Gray a viable target.
As for Crystal Palace, Gray could be the man to come in and replace Wilfried Zaha, who completed a move to Galatasaray over the weekend. Primarily a left winger, he can also be deployed as a right winger and attacking midfielder and is a tricky customer for defenders with his menacing pace, and clever thinking in tight spaces, albeit he can be a bit wasteful in front of goal.
