Birmingham City Enquire About Signing Premier League Winner
Birmingham City are reportedly interested in signing Demarai Gray, a former Premier League winner, as they look to strengthen their squad for the upcoming Championship season. According to Football League World, the Blues have made an enquiry about bringing Gray back to the club, with the winger reportedly wanting to return to England after a near two-year spell with Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League.
The publication claims that Gray, a former Birmingham academy product, has been asked about by the Blues, with Chris Davies’ side looking to add to their reserves in order to challenge at the top end of the league next season. Gray, who played for Birmingham City 78 times before being sold to Leicester City in January 2016 for £3.75 million, would be an outstanding addition to Davies’ squad, particularly in the wide attacking areas where the Blues maybe weren’t quite up to their historic standards last term.
However, Football League World reports that Al-Ettifaq would want around £8 million for Gray, and it’s not clear whether the 28-year-old winger would consider moving back to Birmingham, who he left to join Leicester City, because it would involve playing in the Championship. Gray reportedly wants a move back to the Premier League, and Sunderland, who’ve recently been promoted to the top flight, hold a historical interest in him.
A move for Gray would make sense for Birmingham, but it could be hard to overcome the barriers of the deal. Gray has another two years left on his deal with Al-Ettifaq and is estimated to be on upwards of £75,000 per week. The winger would have to take a big pay hit in order to come back to his roots. Nevertheless, the Blues have made contact with Al-Ettifaq over a potential deal for Gray, and it will be interesting to see how this transfer saga unfolds.
The source also reports that Birmingham City are not the only club interested in signing Gray, with top Championship sides and newly relegated Premier League teams, including Ipswich Town, Leicester City, and Southampton, also battling for transfer targets in the off-season. The Blues’ huge commercial income and willingness to spend big could give them an edge in the transfer market, but they will face stiff competition for Gray’s signature.
In related news, Football League World has learned that Birmingham City and Wrexham AFC are set to miss out on Burnley’s CJ Egan-Riley after plotting an ambitious move for the defender. The Blues and Wrexham were keen on signing Egan-Riley, but it seems they will not be able to secure his services.
The potential signing of Gray would be a major coup for Birmingham City, and it would be a statement of intent from the club as they look to challenge for promotion to the Premier League. However, the Blues will need to be prepared to meet Al-Ettifaq’s valuation of Gray and convince the winger that playing in the Championship is the right move for him. Only time will tell if this transfer deal comes to fruition, but one thing is certain – Birmingham City are serious about strengthening their squad and making a push for the top of the Championship.
As per Football League World, it will be interesting to see how this transfer window unfolds for the Blues and the rest of the Championship sides. With the Blues looking to make a big impact in the transfer market, fans will be eagerly anticipating any major signings.
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