Bournemouth remain determined to lure Demarai Gray from Leicester City, despite hitting a resistance with their attempts thus far.
The Cherries reportedly failed with an offer of £20million for the England Under-21 international earlier this summer, and a more recent bid worth £26million also failed to persuade Leicester City to do business. Eddie Howe, though, remains eager to land the forward and is now willing to offer a package worth £30million.
This fee includes a number of add-ons, likely to be associated with their future in the Premier League, and it would top the club’s current record transfer fee of £20million which was paid for Chelsea’s Nathan Ake in June. It would also take their summer spending to £60million, having also taken Asmir Begovic from Stamford Bridge.
Gray has become frustrated with his lack of first team opportunities at the King Power Stadium, especially as he feels now is the time for him to make a real impression in his career. Last season he made just nine starts in the league, and this term he has been used as a late substitute in their opening two games.
The Foxes, though, are reluctant to part with the 21-year-old whilst a question mark remains over the future of Riyad Mahrez. Although the Algerian continues to work hard at the club he has made no secret of his desire to leave this summer, and Roma are expected to return with a third bid having seen two previous rejected.
Bournemouth have made a troubled start to a season in which they were expected to push for a top-ten finish. Howe’s side have opened with back-to-back defeats at West Bromwich Albion and at home to Watford, and life is unlikely to get any easier this weekend when Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City team are in town.
