Demarai Gray to reject Saudi Arabia move to join Crystal Palace
Demarai Gray has reportedly knocked back interest from Saudi Arabia in favour of a move to Crystal Palace.
The Everton winger has been the subject of interest from Premier League clubs as well as Al-Hilal this summer, but a move to Selhurst Park appears to be his preference.
Gray lost his place in the Everton side when Sean Dyche arrived as manager, with Dwight McNeil taking his place on the left wing.
The recent acquisitions of Arnaut Danjuma and Ashley Young may push Gray further down the pecking order too, as Everton appear willing to let the 27-year-old leave.
Football Transfers claims that Everton are looking for around £12m to let Gray depart, and the clubs will continue with talks this week.
The report states that Gray prefers a move to Palace because he and his family are settled in England and wish to stay.
Gray could be the man to come in and replace Wilfried Zaha, who completed a move to Galatasaray over the weekend.
The Palace hierarchy remained hopeful that Zaha may have re-signed after his contract ran out at the start of the month, and the Ivorian had been training with the club during the summer.
However, his move to Turkey ends a n
ine-year spell at the club where he started his career, before a move to Manchester United in 2013.
Palace are also under threat of losing another key wide player, with Michael Olise attracting interest from Chelsea.
Matheus Franca has been heavily linked with a move, with the Brazilian press claiming that a deal has been reached.
Therefore, there is a possibility that Palace could go from having Olise and Zaha on the flanks to Gray and Franca for the start of the new campaign.
Gray also showcased his versatility at times for Everton, filling in as a central striker in Dominic Calvert-Lewin‘s extended absences.
After switching allegiances to Jamaica before the recent CONCACAF Gold Cup, Gray also scored two and set up another two as the Reggae Boyz reached the semi-finals, losing to eventual champions Mexico.
