Everton star Demarai Gray ‘Likely’ to head to Saudi Arabia as Fulham transfer news drops – Alan Myers
Demarai Gray from Everton to Saudi Arabia is a “likely outcome” after Fulham edged closer to signing Adama Traore, according to Alan Myers.
Writing on his personal Twitter account (11 August), the Sky Sports journalist reports that the west London club are in advanced talks to sign Spain international Toure after he left Wolves at the end of his contract.
Fulham had previously been linked with a move for Gray but with Traore now close to signing, Myers believes a move to Crystal Palace or Saudi Arabia are far more likely now for the Toffees star.
“Adama Traore in advanced talks to join Fulham, the winger is a free agent after leaving Wolves,” he wrote.
“Likely to mean Palace and more so Saudi Arabia a likely outcome for [Demarai] Gray sale.”
Cash in
Gray was an incredibly important member of the Everton squad last season, playing out of position but putting in a shift and scoring some big goals over the course of the campaign.
But it was clear quite quickly after Sean Dyche arrived that he wouldn’t be first choice if everyone was fit, and with 12 months remaining on his deal at Goodison an exit now seems as though it suits everyone.
A Premier League move looked most likely, but with Fulham now seemingly out of the race a move to Saudi Arabia has been mooted previously and they would no doubt cough up the funds needed to make both Everton and Gray happy.
Gray has the option of waiting a bit longer for a move to Saudi to develop as their transfer window closes two weeks after England’s, but Everton will need to know what’s happening so they can replace him first.
Either way, if we can get the money we want for him then it doesn’t matter to us where it comes from. The earlier the better so we can use it for other targets.
In other Everton news, Mark Lawrenson shares what he’s heard behind the scenes as he predicts result v Fulham.
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Everton: Dyche must unleash Arnaut Danjuma vs Fulham
Everton will host Fulham in their Premier League opener at Goodison Park this afternoon and Sean Dyche will be hoping to spark a new era on the blue side of Merseyside after a difficult campaign last season.
The Toffees finished 17th in the top-flight table with just two points to spare on the final day, with Abdoulaye Doucoure’s strike against Bournemouth saving them from a spell in the Championship and relegating Leicester City instead.
Now the Everton boss will be hoping that his team can stage a comeback to comfortably compete in the Premier League this season, to avoid a third consecutive relegation scrap at the bottom of the table.
What’s the latest Everton team news?
In terms of injuries, Dele Alli has had a set-back following his hip surgery, club captain Seamus Coleman remains in recovery with a knee injury and Dwight McNeil will be out for weeks with an ankle injury, meaning all three will be unavailable for selection for today’s fixture.
Both James Tarkowski and Arnaut Danjuma have been confirmed as available for selection after suffering knocks and fitness issues during pre-season, however, there is uncertainty surrounding Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s return to action.
Dyche took to his pre-match press conference to deliver an update on the striker’s availability:
“He just needs game time, Dom. Unfortunately the games have just ran out in pre-season, if he had a few more weeks he may have been able to play more. He’s fit and well, just finishing off the games programme at the moment.”
“We’ll have to make a call on that [whether Calvert-Lewin can play]. I’ve spoken to him anyway on how he’s feeling, we’ll have to make a call on that.”
Will Arnaut Danjuma start vs Fulham?
Whilst Everton are still active in the market this summer with new additions on the agenda, the club have already snapped up the services of three fresh faces who could make their debut in the first few fixtures of the season.
Both Danjuma and former Aston Villa stalwart Ashley Young could make their Goodison Park debut this weekend, whilst ex-Sporting Club de Portugal striker Youssef Chermiti may not feature due to only putting ink on his four-year contract yesterday.
Dyche will be keen to set high standards and expectations in the opening clash, so unleashing Danjuma in the final third this afternoon would be the perfect opportunity to prove Everton’s ambition and determination to change the trajectory of their fate.
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