Sean Dyche explains Demarai Gray Everton squad absence amid Fulham terms ‘agreed’

Demarai Gray has reportedly agreed personal terms to leave Everton for Fulham.

Sean Dyche says Demarai Gray’s Everton absence is because he is still ‘not ready’ to play.

The winger represented Jamaica in the CONCAF Gold Cup during the summer and helped the Reggae Boys to the semi-finals. As a result, he was granted additional time off after the majority of the squad returned to training.

Gray has been the subject of interest during the transfer window. Reports have suggested the ex-Leicester City man has agreed terms to sign for Fulham and he has not been training with Sean Dyche’s side this week.

Gray was not involved in Everton’s final pre-season friendly – a 1-0 victory over Sporting CP at Goodison Park last Saturday – ahead of the start of the 2023-24 season.

James Garner and Jarrad Branthwaite – who helped England under-21s to European Championships glory – also returned to training later than most of their team-mates yet have featured in the past three friendlies.

Dyche insists that Everton are still ‘monitoring’ Gray’s fitness, though. Speaking after the Sporting win, the Everton manager said: “He came back in late, so we are still having to monitor his body. He is still not ready.”

Gray joined Everton from Bayer Leverkusen for £1.7 million in the summer of 2021. He has made a total of 75 appearances for the Blues, scoring 12 goals.

Everton: £15k-p/w talent “knows” he’s going to be unleashed this season

Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has attracted interest from elsewhere this summer, according to reports.

Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite will get a ‘chance’ under Sean Dyche this term and is unlikely to be sold amid rumours linking him with a move away from Goodison Park, according to journalist Paul Brown.

Will Jarrad Branthwaite leave Everton this summer?

According to The Daily Mail, Manchester United are keen to bring in left-sided Everton defender Branthwaite following his impressive spell on loan at PSV Eindhoven last term.

Scouts from the Red Devils are said to have been impressed by £15k-a-week earner Branthwaite’s qualities and he is being targeted alongside Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo at Old Trafford.

On loan at Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven, Branthwaite made 37 appearances in all competitions last season, registering four goals and two assists, as per Transfermarkt.

FootballTransfers have revealed that Manchester United do have Branthwaite on a shortlist of potential defensive additions at Old Trafford; however, Everton will look to refuse any offers for the England Under-21 international.

Liverpool have also looked at Branthwaite in the past, though it isn’t likely that Everton would entertain any proposals from an arch rival for one of their brightest homegrown talents.

His stature, rare status as a left-footed centre back and suitability to help fill quotas for European competition as an English player will undoubtedly appeal to elite-level clubs.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Brown indicated that he doesn’t expect Everton to sell Branthwaite and instead reckons that he will get an opportunity to stake his claim for senior involvement at the Toffees moving forward.

Brown stated: “I don’t see Branthwaite going to United. No, their defence, it’s true, could be in flux this summer, there’s a lot of talk of a couple of defenders being wanted by other people, but while I think they have an interesting brand point, I don’t think he’s high on their lists and I think he knows that he will get a chance at Everton this season.”

What next for Everton?

Everton boss Dyche will be keen to add some additional bodies to his squad alongside Arnaut Danjuma and Ashley Young before his side take to the field to host Fulham next Saturday in their Premier League opener, as per ESPN.

According to iNews, Sporting Clube de Portugal striker Youssef Chermiti is in ‘advanced’ talks over a move to Goodison Park for a fee of £12.8 million that will include a considerable sell-on percentage for his current employers.

Football Insider report that Everton are also keen on Southampton striker Che Adams this summer amid stiff competition from Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers to sign the Scotland international.

His teammate Kamaldeen Sulemana is also being explored as a potential option to add depth in the wide areas by the Toffees after they grew frustrated in their pursuit of Leeds United attacker Wilfried Gnonto, according to The Daily Mail.

In a separate article from Football Insider, it is believed that West Ham United veteran forward Michail Antonio is being tracked as another potential solution to help bolster Everton’s options in the final third following news that his proposed move to Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq has fallen by the wayside.