Demarai Gray leaves Everton to join Al Ettifaq
- Everton have sold Gray to Al Ettifaq
- Winger ended up in a public dispute with Toffees boss Sean Dyche
- Gray joins Jordan Henderson and Steven Gerrard in Middle East
By Tom Gott
Everton have confirmed the departure of winger Demarai Gray, who has completed a permanent transfer to Saudi Arabian outfit Al Ettifaq.
Gray was a target for Al Shabab earlier this summer but, after a move fell through, publicly hit out at Everton and hinted at his frustration towards Toffees boss Sean Dyche, who he argued did not respect him as a person.
Dyche responded to Gray's allegations shortly before the move was confirmed, telling EvertonTV: "It's an unfortunate one because I try to keep our business in-house. I think on this occasion, it's right to reply.
"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. We reminded him of the truth of the fact that no moves are done without this club's say so. That's the truth of it.
"We look after these players; we look at all the different ways of looking after them. Mental and wellbeing is big, the tactics and technical, the physical. We look at all of that for all these players, and we look after them.
"When it comes to a time like that, then you go, 'Well, hang on a minute. You made it clear you didn't want to train, you didn't want to be here, and you also said there was a move that was a done deal'.
"We said it's not a done deal because this club is the most important. This club will make decisions on the future of you as players and not the other way around. I think it's right to let our fans know that’s the truth."
READ THE LATEST NEWS FROM 90MIN'S TALKING TRANSFERS TEAM
feed
The move brings an end to a rollercoaster two-year spell at Goodison Park for Gray, who managed 12 goals and six assists in 75 outings for the Toffees.
After his cut-price move to the club in 2021, Gray looked like an inspired signing as he bagged five goals in his first 15 Premier League outings for Everton, only for the goals to dry up soon after.
Gray featured in a number of games under Dyche last season but the pair's relationship collapsed over the summer, which ultimately contributed to his move to Saudi Arabia.
At Al Ettifaq, he will work under Steven Gerrard and link up with former Premier League stars like Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum.
LISTEN NOW TO 90MIN'S TALKING TRANSFERS PODCAST
On this edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders is joined by Graeme Bailey to discuss Al Ittihad's attempts to sign Mohamed Salah, Jadon Sancho's Man Utd future, the players that could still leave the Premier League and more!
If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!