Al-Hilal ‘want to sign’ Everton forward Demarai Gray, with negotiations to ‘take place next week’

Everton forward Demarai Gray could be the latest Premier League player to join the Saudi Arabian Pro League after reports are claiming Al-Hilal will ‘hold negotiations to sign him next week’.

The Birmingham City academy graduate, who joined the Toffees from Bayer Laverkusen £1.7million back in 2021, has gone on to play 75 times for the Blues, arriving to dazzle the Goodison faithful with his excellent technical abilities and creativity in attack. 

But it appears the 26-year-old’s brilliance on the ball has caught the eyes of suitors from the Middle East, and according to Sky Sports News, Al-Hilal ‘want to sign the Everton forward’ and a ‘delegation from the club is expected in London for the negotiations next week.’

It comes as Saudi sides are starting to make some big moves in the transfer window,  turning the heads of many big names in English football, offering up lucrative deals to play in the Pro League. 

Sean Dyche (pictured) is looking to strengthen his forward stocks after Everton failed to score 

According to reports the clubs will ‘hold negotiations in London next week’ to talk talk through the deal

Al-Hilal have been working to secure several big names over the past week, with reports suggesting that they are on the cusp of securing a deal to sign Kalidou Koulibaly from Chelsea, after he was spotted in Riyadh on Saturday.

Mail Sport also understands that Al-Hilal are after Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva, and could lure the 30-year-old Champions League winner to the Middle East with a big contract. 

City are reportedly preparing to offer him a new contract, in a last-ditch attempt to keep him at the club, but their efforts will likely be out-classed by those coming from Al-Hilal, who also announced the acquisition of his compatriot, Ruben Neves, earlier this week. 

Neves had been strongly linked with a move to Barcelona in recent times, but instead opted for a move to Saudi Arabia, signing on in a £47m move, a club record transfer for Wolves. 

It comes as both Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville have expressed their growing concerns over players moving from the Premier League to Saudi Arabia, with the former Liverpool defender claiming Silva’s potential transfer could be a ‘game changer’ before saying ‘This sports washing needs to be stopped!’

Gray, who set up Damion Lowe for his goal in Jamaica’s Gold Cup 1-1 draw against the USA, could be the next Premier League star to move to Saudi Arabia, with his contract set to expire. 

It comes as Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves agreed a move to the Saudi side earlier this week

Gray could follow Neves and Kalidou Koulibaly as the next player to move to the middle east

Bernardo Silva is also being linked with a move to Al-Hilal but Manchester City will reportedly look to offer him a new deal in a bid to get him to stay

Sky are also reporting that three are three other Premier League clubs interested in the forward.  

During his time at the club, the 26-year-old has returned six goals in all competitions and has been a regular face in the side this season. 

He has started in 27 of the 33 Premier League matches he’s featured in, notably scoring an equaliser to help the Toffees rescue a 1-1 draw against Manchester City earlier in the season.

His manager, Dyche, was spotted in high spirits at Glastonbury this weekend, but upon his return to Finch Farm, he will be hoping to bring in a couple of new forwards, especially if Gray leaves, with Everton struggling to find the back of the net last season, after they finished as the second-lowest scoring side in the Premier League. 

Much change is a foot at Goodison Park, with Farhad Moshiri announcing several new appointments to the club’s board this week, with Bill Kenwright set to stay on as Chairman despite much speculation over his future.