Leicester City look poised to land Demarai Gray, after meeting the £3.75million release clause in his Birmingham City contract.
Despite slipping two points behind Arsenal at the head of the Premier League table, this has been an extraordinary season for the Foxes who were many pundits tip for relegation back in August. Instead, Claudio Ranieri’s side have been one of the most entertaining in the division, and their performances have given them a real chance of finishing inside the top-four.
Ranieri is clearly keen to push on during the second half of the season, and has already stated that neither of his two most outstanding performers, Riyad Mahrez or Jamie Vardy, are for sale at any price. And the Italian is looking to add to his current options in a bid to maintain their standing amongst the elite of the top-flight, and is appears he will be given cash to spend.
According to Sky Sports, Leicester met the £3.75million release clause in Gray’s contract. The 19-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best talents in the country outside the Premier League, and he has racked up a total of 78 appearances for Birmingham in all competitions, scoring eight times, since making his debut for the St Andrews club back in October 2013.
It is understood that the England Under-20 international is finalising personal terms over a move to the King Power Stadium, which would then be followed by a medical with the club. This is a considerable coup for Ranieri, particularly at such a price, and it is a blow for Blues manager Gary Rowett who accepts there is little he can do to prevent Gray from moving up the career ladder.
“Should the move go through I wish him all the best – he is an ambitious young player,” he said. “The club have done all the right things and now we will have funds to strengthen the team. We can now move the team in a different direction and use the money wisely. Demarai is desperate to play in the Premier League and he backs his own ability to fulfil that dream.”
