Everton contact Al Ettifaq to finalize Demarai Gray transfer – Fabrizio Romano

The Italian journalist wrote on Twitter (September 6) that the Saudi Pro League club are considering signing the Jamaican international winger on a permanent transfer.

He added that the fee has been discussed and only final details are left to be finalised to allow the 27-year-old to leave Goodison Park.

CBS reporter Ben Jacobs wrote on Twitter on Tuesday (September 5) that Everton had agreed a transfer fee of £8 million with Al Ettifaq.

Jacobs said Gray will sign a four-year contract with the club.

The text appeared on the wall after Demarai Gray posted on social media that Everton manager Sean Dyche had shown him disrespect. Once a player speaks out against his boss there is usually no chance of reconciliation, and it is unfortunate that Gray chose this path to leave Merseyside.

Having lost Alex Iwobi to Fulham on transfer deadline day, seeing his already strained squad even more depleted following Gray’s departure would be a blow to Dyche.

Gray Lobster has been one of the brightest points in the Everton squad during the past two difficult seasons, although stability is still a huge problem for the winger.

In one sense, parting may be the right path for all parties, but Dyche’s disappointment will be the inability to find a replacement before January.

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The Toffees announced on their website on Tuesday (September 5) that the 18-year-old will be leaving Oxford to join the Under-21s at Goodison Park. He played a key role in guiding his side to the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup last season.

Everton also need to focus on recruiting young players and it’s nice to see them sign a quality young goalkeeper.

At the age of 18, he has shown a lot of promise and if in two or three years he continues to improve at the level he has achieved, he will have a good chance of being called up to the senior team.

This season, it looks like the Toffees will retain his service rather than loan him out, but they could send him next summer to earn some professional minutes.

He is still a teenager so under-21 football would suit him and if he impresses in the league then they may consider his next stage of development. In his interview, Barnsley said that blocking is his best virtue and it is essential that he also teaches at this age the importance of playing from the back.

Jordan Pickford is a great example of a talented goalkeeper with his feet and maybe he can give him some words of encouragement.