Demarai Gray transfer speculation grows as Everton winger earns Gold Cup honour
Demarai Gray impressed as he led Jamaica to the semi-finals of the Gold Cup and will return to Everton with several sides monitoring his availability
Demarai Gray will start pre-season with Everton in form after personal success at the Gold Cup.
The winger has been named in the team of the tournament after helping Jamaica to reach the semi-finals before being knocked out by eventual winners Mexico.
The accolade marked an impressive start to Gray's senior international career after he switched allegiance earlier this year. The Everton star had represented England at youth level.
His performances came as speculation over his future intensified with interest from Premier League clubs and an outfit from Saudi Arabia among those thought to be monitoring him.
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Gray created the goal in the 1-1 draw with the USA that kickstarted Jamaica’s campaign and then scored twice in a win over Trinidad and Tobago. And it was his clever through ball that set up Amari’i Bell for the goal that sent Jamaica through to the semi-finals with a 1-0 victory over Guatemala.
Gray has been given additional time away from Finch Farm to rest and recover after the tournament, which only ended for him on Thursday. The 27-year-old will return with speculation over his future growing. Crystal Palace have emerged as one of the teams considering a move for him while interest from the Saudi Pro League has been mooted all summer.
Gray scored four times in 33 Premier League appearances for Everton last season, the highlight being the stunning strike that earned the Blues a surprise draw at Manchester City in late December. He also scored twice in the Carabao Cup.
He did, however, see first-team opportunities initially limited after the appointment of Sean Dyche in late January and that, combined with the belief the club may need to sell players to raise money for a wider rebuild, has helped to fuel the uncertainty over whether he will still be an Everton player once the transfer window ends.