Speaking recently on The Transfer Window podcast, Duncan Castles discussed Southampton’s interest in Leicester City winger, Demarai Gray.
Since moving to Leicester from Birmingham City in what was a £4.59 million deal back in 2016, Gray has gone on to feature 169 times for the club, scoring 13 goals and providing 17 assists along the way.
However, so far this season, the £10.8 million-rated 24-year-old has struggled for game time under Brendan Rodgers, playing just 18 minutes of Premier League football, with his only other appearance coming in the 2-0 loss against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup.
And, with the former England U21 international out of contract at the end of the season, a number of clubs have been reported to be keen on a move for the winger, one of whom is said to be Southampton.
This is something that Castles discussed on a recent episode of The Transfer Window podcast, in which the journalist confirmed Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side’s interest in Gray.
He said: “Demarai Gray, I think, is still an interesting subject. [He’s] one we’ve flagged up in the podcast several times. He’s out of contract in the summer [and is] very unhappy at his treatment from Brendan Rodgers at Leicester. My understanding [is that he’s] determined to leave in the summer which Leicester are aware of and they are trying to sell now to get some money in.
“[Bayer] Leverkusen are trying to agree a fee with Leicester to get the player immediately, but the strength of interest from other clubs is such I think it’s going to be hard for Leverkusen to convince Gray that he’s better moving in January than waiting for the summer when clubs like Southampton would like to take him on a free transfer, [which would] allow him to stay in the Premier League.”
Would Gray be a good signing for Saints?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts on Duncan Castles’ comments regarding Demarai Gray…
While Gray has hardly featured for Leicester this term, the winger has shown promise in previous seasons for the Foxes, scoring three goals and providing one assist in the 2017/18 season, four goals and one assist in the 2018/19 season and two goals and three assists in the 2019/20 season, despite starting just three games last term.
However, with the likes of Nathan Redmond, Moussa Djenepo, Theo Walcott, Josh Sims and Nathan Tella currently in the Saints first-team squad, all of whom can operate from either wing, should Hasenhuttl indeed go on to sign Gray this summer, he may well have to part with one of his current options in order to accommodate the Leicester man.