Demarai Gray’s Leicester City frustrations should tempt Newcastle United into a bid

Follow us on Google Discover

Newcastle United are reportedly monitoring Demarai Gray’s situation at Leicester City and he sounds far from content.

Demarai Gray is yet to nail down a regular place in Leicester’s starting XI despite some excellent displays

If Newcastle United are indeed interested in Demarai Gray this summer, and The Chronicle claims they are, then they will surely have been encouraged by the winger’s review of his first full season at Leicester City.

The former Birmingham City starlet, who was linked with a plethora of top English clubs before signing for The Foxes for £3.7 million in January 2016 (BBC), offered tantalising glimpses of his quality in a promising 2016/17 campaign.

However, Gray was still handed just nine Premier League starts by both Claudio Ranieri and Craig Shakespeare while also playing just 155 minutes as Leicester raced to the Champions League quarter-finals.

Therefore, it is little surprise that the 20-year-old was not totally pleased with his progress.

“I am hungry and want to make my mark. I want to express myself as much as I can,” Gray, who completed 90 minutes just twice in the Premier League last season, told the Leicester Mercury.

“I don’t feel like I have been able to do that as much as I want.”

Frustration tells

And though Gray has hinted that he will not seek a move away from the King Power this summer, stating that he believes he has the support of Shakespeare, his comments will surely convince Newcastle that it is worth testing the water with a bid.

The Chronicle claims that the Magpies want more attacking thrust in their squad and are in the market for a winger. And scout Steve Nickson, who is covering the Under-21 European Championship in Poland, will surely have been impressed as Gray scored one and set up another to help England reach the semi-finals with a 3-0 battering of Poland.

Gray has reportedly piqued the interest of Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez

However, the report adds that Gray could cost as much as £18 million, a fee that would make him the club’s record signing. Yet, with Rafael Benitez reportedly growing concerned at the lack of action in the transfer market, the Magpies may be tempted into an offer.