Everton are closing in on the signing of former Leicester City winger Demarai Gray from Bayer Leverkusen. According to Fabrizio Romano, Crystal Palace also made a bid for the 25-year-old, but are set to lose out to the Toffees. New manager Rafa Benitez is a known admirer of the player.
Benitez is set to oversee a flurry of recruitment into the Goodison Park club in the coming days, with Andros Townsend also joining as a free agent, as well as Bournemouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.
Everton Close to Demarai Gray Signing
Six Month Spell at Bayer Leverkusen
Everton’s deal for Demarai Gray marks a quick return to the Premier League for a player who was on the books at Leicester City until January 2021.
Gray’s former manager Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for the winger’s attitude and work ethic in training, but allowed the 25-year-old to leave the King Power Stadium in search of regular first-team football.
Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen made that offer to Gray, who made ten appearances in the second half of the season, scoring once and providing two assists.
It is thought that Gray will sign a three-year contract with Everton, which will contain a buyout clause of just under £2 million.
Andros Townsend and Asmir Begovic Also Joining Everton
Joining Demarai Gray at Goodison Park in due course will be experienced duo Andros Townsend and Asmir Begovic. The former will arrive at the club as a free agent after the expiry of his Crystal Palace contract at the end of last season, while the latter will join from Championship side Bournemouth, also on a free transfer.
Former Tottenham Hotspur winger Townsend has spent the last five seasons at Selhurst Park, but was not offered a new contract ahead of next season.
Bournemouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, meanwhile, is set to return to the Premier League after recent loan spells at Qarabag FK in Azerbaijan, and AC Milan in Italy’s Serie A.
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