Everton are unwilling to sanction the sale of winger Demarai Gray who has yet to feature for the Blues this season.
The £1.7m player has been heavily linked with a Goodison Park exit throughout the summer with the likes of Crystal Palace and Fulham interested.
A move to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal then seemed the more likely outcome to the ongoing transfer saga, however Everton are reportedly reluctant to sanction Gray’s departure, as per the Liverpool Echo.
Indeed, despite not being a part of the matchday squad in the opening games of the season, Sean Dyche suggested after Saturday’s draw with Sheffield United that he hoped to reintegrate the 27-year-old.
When asked about Gray’s matchday absence, Dyche cited the forward’s fitness as the reason behind his omission, stating: “It was a bit of everything – his fitness, his fitness to play in the side, the situation around him and all of the noise.
Hopefully over the next couple of weeks that will become clear and he will get himself fit as a start point.”
When pushed on whether he believed Demarai Gray would remain at the club, he added: “I do at this time.”
Demarai Gray parting ways with Everton now seems the best option after Social Media outburst
Despite this, the winger then took to his Instagram account and appeared to take a swipe at manager Sean Dyche, posting: “Everton fans have always been great with me but it’s so difficult to play for someone who don’t show you respect as a person.”
With the Saudi Arabian transfer window open until September 7th, a departure remains a strong possibility, with a ‘verbal agreement’ previously reached with Al Shabab, as per Fabrizio Romano.
With Alex Iwobi moving to Fulham in a £22m deal, Gray’s value in the squad has increased, but if the relationship between the Jamaican international and Sean Dyche is irreparable, I’d expect to see the 27-year-old signing a contract in Saudi Arabia by Thursday evening.