Everton may be forced to sell Demarai Gray this summer.
West Ham have been linked with the winger, who journalist Graeme Bailey has claimed could be on his way out as he is one of the Toffees’ ‘only sellable assets’.
Gray joined Everton for only £1.7 million two years ago and has since netted eleven goals in all competitions.
The forward’s contract is set to expire next summer, however the Merseyside club have the option of a further year.
While Gray has been one of Everton’s few positives in recent seasons, he has been heavily linked away with clubs across England and Saudi Arabia.
Sean Dyche’s side are eager to bolster their squad over the next couple of months, however they will need to offload a number of players to raise the funds for their raid.
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Speaking on 90min’s Talking Transfers podcast, Bailey said: “There’s interest from Saudi Arabia, interest from a few other clubs. West Ham looked at him.
“I like Demarai Gray, I think he’s great. I saw him at Old Trafford and i thought he was sensational. I like him as a player but I don’t think he quite fits into their system.
“I don’t think there’s many sellable assets at Everton and he’s one of them, so he may have to be moved onto allow Sean Dyche to wheel and deal the other parts of the squad.”
Should Everton sell Demarai Gray?
It is unclear how much Everton will demand for Demarai Gray, however it is certain to be an increase on the minimal fee they paid for him in 2023.
While the 27-year-old has often shown his talent at Goodison Park, his goal tally arguably makes a potential exit a bit easier.
Everton need to build an attack that can pose a threat and get goals in a weekly basis and the departure of Gray could help them do that.
If he is one of their only ‘sellable assets’ then it may prove worth it to offload him – though sending him to Saudi Arabia seems more logical.
West Ham spent most of last season battling Everton in the relegation scrap and the Toffees need to avoid strengthening their rivals.