(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)
Transfers

Exclusive: Birmingham City close on Demarai Gray deal after breakthrough

Wayne Veysey
Wayne Veysey

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

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Birmingham City are close to re-signing Demarai Gray after a breakthrough in talks today, sources have told Football Insider.

The newly-promoted Championship club are finalising a loan deal with Al Ettifaq for the Saudi-based star.

His wages are believed to be at a level that makes a permanent transfer difficult for Birmingham.

Nevertheless, the Midlands outfit are increasingly confident over reaching an agreement for the capture of their academy product, who broke into the first team aged 17 before joining Leicester City in January 2016.

Gray set to re-join Birmingham on loan

Gray, 28, joined Al Ettifaq from Everton in the summer of 2023 and has a contract with the Saudi Pro League side that runs through to 2027.

He has hit four goals in 50 appearances for Steven Gerrard's former side, but failed to score in the 2024-25 campaign.

The winger played 78 times across all competitions for boyhood club Birmingham before making the move to Leicester and winning the Premier League title with the Foxes.

Demarai Gray Stats Premier League
Gray is a known quantity at Premier League level. (Credit: Getty Images)

Gray has played 200 Premier League games, featured in the Champions League - and is currently away with Jamaica at the Gold Cup in the United States.

He has racked up seven goals in 27 senior international caps for the Reggae Boyz after playing for England at youth level.

Birmingham are plotting an ambitious promotion push next term after winning League One with a record 111 points in the 2024-25 campaign.

Everton
Gray most recently played in England with Everton - scoring 12 goals. (Credit: Getty Images)

Birmingham agree deal for Wolves star

Meanwhile, Football Insider has also revealed (27 June) that Birmingham have agreed a deal to sign Wolves midfielder Tommy Doyle.

The two clubs have finalised the terms of a loan move and the 23-year-old will undergo a medical at the Championship club soon.

Wolves have given the green light to Doyle joining their Midlands rivals in order for him to get regular game time.

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