Winners and losers from a Demarai Gray transfer to Birmingham City include Kwame Poku

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Birmingham City are closing in on the statement signing of winger Demarai Gray from Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq.

EFL Analysis revealed that Birmingham City are set to pay a ‘considerable amount’ for Demarai Gray, who earns a reported £200k-a-week at Al-Ettifaq.

The 28-year-old will return to a club where he became the youngest player in Birmingham’s history to score a hat-trick, aged just 18 against Bolton Wanderers in 2014.

Now, over 10 years later, the former Leicester City and Everton winger is looking to rekindle his career in the Championship after struggling in Saudi Arabia.

So, with Gray likely to play a starring role in Chris Davies’ squad, here are the winners and losers from the potential signing.

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Winners from a Demarai Gray transfer to Birmingham City

Jay Stansfield

Birmingham’s record signing Jay Stansfield was a major reason why the Blues returned to the second tier. The 22-year-old plundered 19 goals in 37 league appearances and will be looking to build on that prolific campaign.

On his last time in the Championship, the English forward scored 12 times in 43 appearances, and with Gray now potentially adding to their firing line, Stansfield will surely be excited.

Gray has tremendous quality in wide areas, something that Stansfield can feed off as he aims to fire his side towards the top six next season.

Birmingham fans

Birmingham supporters had the joy of watching Gray during his first spell at the club. As a raw talent, the exciting winger lit up the Championship with his electric pace and incredible dribbling.

The Englishman was eventually snapped up by Leicester City in January 2016, who triggered his £3.7 million release clause.

It would have been tough for fans watching him leave as a 19-year-old, yet almost a decade on from his departure, there’s something special about him returning.

With Birmingham gunning for promotion to the top-flight in 2025/26, supporters would love for Gray to play a huge part.

Tomoki Iwata

Tomoki Iwata was one of the best midfielders in the division last term as he set a relentless standard with his pressing and goals from the middle of the park.

Iwata was shortlisted for the Player of the Season award in League One after scoring six goals and providing one assist in 40 appearances in the league.

As an industrious and powerful midfielder, Iwata will relish having someone of Gray’s quality on the wing to thread the ball to.

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Losers from a Demarai Gray transfer to Birmingham City

Kwame Poku

A potential move for Gray could have all but ended Birmingham’s pursuit in Peterborough United winger Kwame Poku.

The Blues were chasing the 23-year-old after the season ended, but once Barry Fry slapped a £10 million asking price on Poku, it appears they pulled the plug on negotiations.

Now that three Championship clubs have agreed a deal for Poku and Birmingham are closing in on Gray, any chance of him moving to St Andrews is virtually over.

Scott Wright

Former Rangers winger Scott Wright could be pushed further down the pecking order with the impending arrival of Gray.

Wright was used sparingly by Davies in League One and, unfortunately, saw his season cut short in February as he suffered a knee injury.

As the versatile winger prepares to return during pre-season, the chances of him starting regularly will be slim, especially with the quality Gray possesses.

That will either leave the 27-year-old needing to find a new club this summer or be prepared to fight for his place in the starting lineup.