‘Got talent’: Manager’s recent comments hint linked Tottenham target could leave

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Demarai Gray has struggled to make a single matchday squad for Leicester City this season, yet at the end of it, the reported target could end up at Tottenham Hotspur.

Only last month, Brendan Rodgers stated that it has been ‘difficult’ for Gray at the King Power and he is a player who is ‘just outside the squad’, as he told Leicestershire Live.

“He’s just outside of the squad,” said Rodgers in October. “He’s working hard to get back into the squad again. The squad has started the season well, so that’s been difficult for him.”

Furthermore, he also added in September that he has ‘really enjoyed’ working with the versatile winger and he will ‘respect’ the 24-year-old’s decision with his contract due to expire next summer.

“It’ll be up to him,” said Rodgers. “He’s in his last year and he hasn’t signed another deal but, for me, I will always respect Demarai and what his wishes are. He is working very hard to play a part while he’s here. We’ll see how it evolves over the course of the season.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with him. He’s a good guy and has been here since he was a young player. While he’s here he will always be respected for his quality and what he has.

“He is now 24 and it’ll be whether he wants to continue in the role he’s played here or whether he sees himself going out and becoming a starter. He’s a good guy, got talent and while he’s here we’ll look to help him improve that talent.”

Journalist Duncan Castle told the Transfer Window Podcast that ‘Leicester City believe that he will he will be moving to Tottenham’ and there is ‘interest’ from Spurs [read here for more].

It would be a surprise if Gray ends up in North London because he has struggled to establish himself in the Midlands in recent years and you wouldn’t expect his next steps to be to join a side who could be Premier League champions in May.

Added with that, for once, Spurs now have depth in the attacking areas, especially out wide, so the question has to be asked who will miss out if Gray does sign.

The likes of Heung-Min Son, Gareth Bale, Lucas Moura, Steven Bergwijn, the currently loaned out Ryan Sessegnon and even an Erik Lamela can play in those wide areas.

But in regards to Gray, he has struggled to progress at Leicester, hence his lack of game time, and what would Jose Mourinho bring out of the Birmingham-born speedster that Rodgers, who has been known to unearth top talent, hasn’t been able to do?

Either way, it seems as though this could rumble on for some while given Gray’s current contract situation.