Demarai Gray, a wanted man from Everton, is close to signing with Al-Ettifaq of the Saudi Arabian Pro League.
The 27-year-old’s relationship with Sean Dyche has soured after the manager felt compelled to publicly criticize the player via club media channels.
It is “difficult to play for someone who doesn’t show you respect as a person,” the winger remarked.
Gray, who hasn’t featured this year after being linked to Fulham, Saudi Arabia, and other clubs, effectively went on strike after making it plain he didn’t want to practice since he thought he had a move away, to which Dyche responded by expressing his displeasure.
While the Saudi window is open until Thursday, it is believed that Everton has managed to finalize a deal with Al-Ettifaq. Nothing happened on the European deadline day.
The club will turn a profit on the transaction after acquiring Gray from Bayer Leverkusen for under £1.7 million in July 2021. The club has had to operate within strict budgetary constraints in the transfer market.
Dyche, whose team has just one point from their first four games, will at least have one less issue to deal with thanks to his departure after lambasting his demeanor on Tuesday.
“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,” the commentator stated.
We told him that nothing is done without this club’s approval and that this is true.
