Leicester City winger Demarai Gray has revealed how close he came to leaving the Foxes on transfer deadline day. The 21-year-old was linked with the exit door and Tottenham Hotspur were linked with him.
Gray is frustrated at the lack of opportunities at Leicester and could be ready to test the waters again in January. Following England U-21 side’s 3-0 win over Latvia, in which the youngster found the back of the net, he said (as quoted by the Mirror):
“You saw I am frustrated at the amount of football I am getting. All I can do is talk with my feet.
“I was happy to play for the under-21s. I was happy to score and to contribute to the result. But the reason I didn’t look so happy is because I am so frustrated.
“I want to play every week and I am not at the minute. I have to work hard to not be disappointed all the time and try to get myself into the team.”
Highlighting his unhappiness with the lack of football with his club, he went on to add:
“I am not happy with the amount of football I am playing. I respect the manager [Craig Shakespeare] and he picks his team.
“But I want to play as much as possible in the Premier League and at the moment that is not the case.”
Gray is already a star at national level, having excelled for the England Under-21s. In fact, on the deadline day, as clubs were toying with the idea of signing him, he was busy starring for England U21s.
It was reported that Mauricio Pochettino was interested in bringing the youngster to North London but he faced tough competition from Bournemouth. The Cherries even had a bid of £25million rejected during the summer.
The youngster was picked from his home-town club of Birmingham in January 2016 when Leicester City activated his £3.75million clause. He was penciled as a future star at the King Power Stadium but a lack of game time has been a frustration for the England U21 international.
Interestingly, Leicester City manager Craig Shakespeare is adamant that the youngster will stay put at the club and has showcased his intent by rejecting bids in the summer. The club insists that Gray is an important member of the squad.
That hasn’t transformed into reality though, as the winger has only 10 Premier League starts to his name in his 18-month tenure at the club. His pace and skills are an asset to any side and he will only get better with time.
Should Pochettino go for the youngster in the winter window? Daniel Levy has shown over the past few years that he goes full throttle for young players with potential. Even the manager is known to nurture young talents and Tottenham is the hotbed of future stars in the Premier League.
We have seen that in the summer window too, with Juan Foyth rejecting the advances of top European clubs to sign for Spurs. Gray will be a great asset for Tottenham but more than that, he will learn a lot and develop under the tutelage of Pochettino.
Hopefully, we go for his signature in January!
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