By Anthony Onifade
Alan Myers has shared he doubts whether Everton will sign a replacement for the departing Demarai Gray as his move to Al-Ettifaq was confirmed on Thursday 7 September.
The Sky Sports journalist took to his personal Twitter account on September 6 to respond to an Everton fan’s question on whether the club will seek a replacement for the Jamaican international.
Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq announced the transfer of the former Leicester City man on their Twitter account on Thursday morning (7 September), putting an end to a long-running exit saga at Goodison Park.
I doubt it
The 27-year-old forward is believed to have signed a four-year contract in the Middle East in a deal worth around £10million, with the Toffees confirming his exit simultaneously.
And Myers tweeted in response to whether Everton will sign a replacement: “I doubt it.”
Options limited
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This has been a transfer saga that has rumbled on for weeks after Sean Dyche made it clear the forward wasn’t in his plans for this season, even despite blocking his exit during the transfer window.
It is the best move for all parties involved as Everton gets rid of a player who no longer wants to be a part of the club and Gray fulfils his ambitions to seek pastures new elsewhere.
However, with the Toffees also losing Alex Iwobi to Fulham on transfer deadline day, Dyche is left with a depleted attacking weaponry at his disposal with new signing Jack Harrison still weeks away from a potential return from injury.
It would certainly be smart and sensible for the club to seek out free transfer opportunities right now but the options out there are very limited.
Dyche will need a player ready-made for Premier League level and one which will make an instant impact but that is hard to find even if the transfer window was open.
For now, the former Burnley boss will have to make do with what he’s got but given the results in recent weeks, it’s become a real struggle.
In other Everton news, the Toffees made a last-gasp mega bid to sign one former Premier League winger on transfer deadline day and received a swift response to the ambitious offer.