Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton are reportedly set to enter battle in pursuit of Leicester City winger Demarai Gray this summer
According to a report in The Sun, Demarai Gray is set to spark a three-way transfer battle this summer. Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton are all interested in signing the Leicester City winger in the summer transfer window, and are set to make their respective moves for the player.
Gray progressed through the ranks at Birmingham before making the grade in the club’s first-team setup in 2013. The player subsequently enjoyed two impressive campaigns at St. Andrews before being snapped up by Leicester City in the winter transfer window of 2016.
As the Foxes made their way to claiming a shock Premier League triumph, the player was largely utilised as an impact sub. Gray finally broke his Leicester duck in the 2016/17 season. But even though the beleaguered champions struggled to match the highs of the previous season, the 21-year-old continued to filter in and out of the side.
Everton look to continue their summer spending and are interested in signing Demarai Gray! pic.twitter.com/T05sabp3uh
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) July 7, 2017
In all, Gray made 41 appearances in all competitions for Leicester last season, although he managed to start just 14 of these. The effect resulted in a mediocre return for the campaign, with the player managing a mere two goals and five assists.
And after enjoying an impressive campaign with England at the European under-21 championship, the player is believed to be eager to depart from the King Power Stadium in search of regular game time.
There seems to be no dearth of interest in Gray’s services, though, with Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton all interested in signing him. In fact, all three clubs have held a long-time interest in the youngster, and are now set to launch the offensive to sign him.
At Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp intends to continue investing in the transfer market despite securing the services of Mohamed Salah and Dominic Solanke. With Champions League football beckoning next season, the German manager understands that quality in depth is key and thus, Gray has emerged as a top target.
Tottenham manager, Mauricio Pochettino, too, is dealing with a similar predicament following the catastrophic failures in both the Champions League and the Europa League last season. Indeed, the Spurs boss has little to choose from beyond Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli and Son Heung-Min.
With Erik Lamela and Moussa Sissoko struggling to remain consistent, Gray has been identified as just the player to solve the depth woes for Pochettino.
Meanwhile at Everton, the future of Ross Barkley continues to be mired in uncertainty, with the England international refusing to sign a new deal at Goodison Park. As a result, the player could be set to leave the club this summer, meaning a place could open up in the Everton first-team setup.
With Gray eager to secure regular game time though, Everton’s project is the one that is likely to entice him the most even though Liverpool and Tottenham will provide him the opportunity to test his mettle in the Champions League.
Meanwhile, Leicester are not to keen on letting Gray go just yet and manager, Craig Shakespeare has informed the player that he has a future at the King Power Stadium should he continue his form from the European under-21 championship.
Indeed, with Riyad Mahrez set to leave Leicester this summer, Gray could have a chance to resurrect his failing career with the Foxes. It now remains to be seen if he remains at the King Power Stadium or makes his way to any of the interested parties this summer.
