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Leicester City Close to Deal for Birmingham Winger Demarai Gray

By Robert Molnar

Leicester City (Credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Leicester City (Credit: Wikimedia Commons) /
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Leicester City are close to completing a deal for Birmingham City winger Demarai Gray. The Daily Mail is reporting that the Foxes have hit the player’s £4.7 million buy-out clause and are now in negotiations with the 19-year old.

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Having signed a new three-year contract at Birmingham City in July that inserted the buy-out clause into his contract. It now look’s likely that the England U-20 international is set to join the Premier League with Leicester City.

Coming up through the Birmingham City youth academy, Demarai Gray made his senior team debut in 2013 and has now gone onto appear 56 times for the Blues. During that time, the youngster has also scored seven goals and has become one of England’s most promising players.

Joining the Premier League has been seen as a logical step in the 19-year old’s progression. However, a move to Leicester City coming so soon after the player signed a new contract with Birmingham City is unexpected to say the least.

Also in the race for the Demarai Gray’s signature was Premier League new-boys AFC Bournemouth. Cherries manager Eddie Howe had openly expressed his interest in signing the young player, with Bournemouth reportedly offering around £2 million up front with a chance to increase to £5 million under certain conditions.

With the current offer presenting more up front money than the Bournemouth deal, Birmingham City are going to make money in the short-term. However, failing to hold onto Demarai Gray for at least another season could see the Blues leave a lot of money on the table.

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For Leicester City, Demarai Gray presents an excellent opportunity for the Foxes. The 19-year old brings with him sky high potential and an odds on ability to become one of the best players to have ever played for Leicester City.

Taking advantage of this potential quality early on will be key to not only the Foxes future success, but also Demarai Gray’s future success at both the domestic and international levels of competition.

Birmingham City manager Gary Rowett has previously stated that the young Englishman would only leave the club for a chance at playing in Europe. However, with Leicester City beginning to become one of the Premier League’s best mid-table clubs, Demarai Gray looks set to help the Foxes continue in their push up the table.

While the potential loss of Demarai Gray will hurt Birmingham City’s potential for a mid-table finish this season, his arrival boosts the efforts of Leicester City, potentially putting the Foxes in the running for a mid-to-upper-table finish this season.

Next: Norwich City in for Benik Afobe

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