Everton are understood to be plotting an eleventh-hour transfer swoop for Birmingham City forward Demarai Gray, who is believed to be on the brink of sealing a deal to Leicester City.
However, the Toffees themselves risk being gazumped by local rivals Liverpool, with the Reds having negotiated a first option-to-by on the wonderkid forward.
According to the Mirror [via the Birmingham Mail], Leicester have triggered the £3.75 million release clause in Gray’s contract and now have the opportunity to talk to the player.
However, Roberto Martinez’s Everton are considering matching that offer, meaning that the player himself would then get to choose between moving to Goodison Park, the King Power Stadium or remaining with his current employers.
While Everton may fancy their chances of seeing off Leicester—despite the latter’s remarkable form this season—they may yet face competition from city rivals Liverpool.
Back in December, Bleacher Report noted that the Reds have a first option to buy the player when he moves clubs, meaning that even if Gray agrees terms with another side, Jurgen Klopp’s team could yet swoop in and sign him.
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Everton and Leicester will know that this one won’t be done and dusted until the player has been completely confirmed as a Toffee or a Fox, while the Metro reported in December that Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton were all also interested by the teenage starlet.