Everton is nearing an £8 million agreement with Al Ettifaq to sell winger Demarai Gray.
Gray expressed his desire to leave the club due to a perceived lack of respect from manager Sean Dyche. Everton's coach clarified the situation on Tuesday, stating that the club must agree to the deal before any player can leave.
Gray believed he was overlooked last season despite his hard work in training. Feeling discontented, he refused to train during this pre-season after returning from international duty with Jamaica. After seeing a move fall through on deadline day, Dyche said that Gray was still part of his squad.
Gray vented his frustration on Instagram, stating, "It’s so difficult to play for someone who doesn’t show you respect as a person."
When Steven Gerrard's Al Ettifaq resumed negotiations on Tuesday, Dyche chose to clarify the situation. Quoted by the Daily Mail, he said: "It’s an unfortunate one because I try to keep our business in-house. I think on this occasion, it’s right to reply."
"Demarai made it clear that he felt he was getting a move (away from Everton) and he told us a move was done, which was interesting to hear from a player."
"We reminded him of the truth of the fact that no moves are done without this club’s say so. We look after these players; we look at all the different ways of looking after them: mental and wellbeing is big, the tactics and technical, the physical."
"When it comes to a time like that then you go, ''Well, hang on a minute. You made it clear you didn’t want to train, you didn’t want to be here, and you also said there was a move that was a done deal.'"
"We said it’s not a done deal because this club is the most important. This club will make decisions on the future of you as players and not the other way around. I think it’s right to let our fans know that’s the truth."
