Birmingham City are interested in Demarai Gray as he explores a move away from the Saudi Pro League, as per Give Me Sport.
Birmingham City are heading up to the Championship and have some ambitious goals in mind. BCFC intend on forcing their way into the group of England’s top clubs in the long-term.
Promotion back from League One was the first step in their bid to do so, and the Blues are keen to make a splash back in the Championship.
They have the money behind them to make some statement signings, and it now claimed that one man on the radar is former winger Demarai Gray.
Give Me Sport reports that Gray, now 28, has his sights set on a return to England after two seasons in Saudi Arabia with All Ettifaq. They respect his desire to make a return to these shores, and his situation has caught the eye of Birmingham City.
It remains unknown whether he would entertain a move to the Championship though, especially considering he could have top-flight options.
Sunderland eyed the BCFC academy graduate in January and it remains to be seen whether they make a new move. Serie A outfit Fiorentina have also asked about a loan deal with an £8m permanent transfer valuation set.
How has Gray fared in Saudi Arabia?
Birmingham City fans will have watched on as Gray went on to enjoy success in the Premier League after he left St. Andrew’s back in January 2016.
He registered 200 Premier League appearances across spells with Leicester City and Everton, even spending a short stint with German giants Bayer Leverkusen in 2021.
In Saudi Arabia though, there may not have been as many eyes on his progress. He played primarily in his usual left-wing role, but was also used as a striker and right winger by Al Ettifaq.
He has two years left on his deal but after four goals and five assists in 50 games, Gray seems poised to depart.
A feasible statement Birmingham City signing
At £8m, Gray would be an expensive signing for a newly promoted club to make. However, as has been made abundantly clear, Birmingham City are no regular newly promoted club.
BCFC are planning on spending well again this summer after paying big fees for the likes of Jay Stansfield, Christoph Klarer and Willum Thor Willumsson last season.
They plan on competing with top Championship sides both on and off the pitch, and a move for Gray would certainly see them do that. Given his connections to the club and their riches, he seems a feasible signing.
However, given his vast Premier League experience, he would certainly be a statement addition for Chris Davies’ Blues too.
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