Everton have reached an agreement with Saudi Pro League club Al-Shabab over the transfer of Jamaican winger Demarai Gray.
However, Sky Sports reports that the Toffees will not allow the 27-year-old forward to exit Goodison Park until a replacement is found.
With Dwight McNeil and Alex Iwobi currently sidelined until further notice, Everton manager Sean Dyche is significantly limited in the attacking areas.
Recent signing Jack Harrison is also expected to spend a spell in the treatment room, and Gray’s departure will weaken the squad even further.
The England-born forward only cost Everton around £1.7 million when he joined from Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen two years ago.
He has proven to be a decent acquisition for the Toffees after clocking up 12 goals and six assists in 75 outings, but it appears he has made his last appearance for the Merseyside outfit.
Despite being made surplus to requirement in Merseyside, the Premier League winners had plenty of options on the transfer market, with Fulham and Crystal Palace previously touted as possible destinations.
However, he is expected to join a multitude of Europe-based stars who have transitioned to Saudi Arabia this summer, with Al-Shabab waiting to welcome him into the fold.
The impending transfer is expected to come with a bumper pay rise which has become a characteristic feature of Saudi business, but Gray will be made to wait for his anticipated move.
Gray has been left out of Everton’s squad for their opening two games of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign and is unlikely to make an appearance before his transfer is finalised.
The Toffees were on the end of a 4-0 drubbing to Aston Villa at the weekend, and having offered next to nothing for the entire 90 minutes, Dyche is desperate to bolster his attacking options before the transfer window closes.
