Birmingham City to confirm capture of Demarai Gray despite Premier League interest, there’s a ‘considerable’ cost

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EFL Analysis understands that Birmingham City have agreed an ambitious move to sign winger Demarai Gray from Al-Ettifaq.

Birmingham City’s aggressive transfer window is in full swing as they gear up for a Championship promotion challenge in 2025/26.

Chris Davies is targeting reinforcements in his forward line, with Birmingham showing an interest in Kyogo Furuhashi, and Carlos Vicente is also being eyed by the Blues.

While those transfers are potentially in the pipeline, Tom Wagner is close to landing arguably one of the best signings of the summer.

• READ MORE: Derby County close in on deal for nine-capped USA striker, but there’s other Championship interest

Birmingham City agree deal for Demarai Gray

Earlier in June, EFL Analysis revealed that Birmingham were showing an interest in Demarai Gray, someone who made a name for himself as a youngster at St Andrews.

Gray became the youngest player to score a hat-trick for the Midlands giants at the age of 18, and has since turned out for the likes of Leicester City, Everton and Bayer Leverkusen.

Now, after it was initially reported that his huge £200k-a-week wages were a stumbling block, EFL Analysis can confirm, via our chief football correspondent Graeme Bailey, that Birmingham have agreed a transfer for Gray.

Bailey also stated that the 28-year-old will come in on ‘substantial terms’ and the Blues have won the race to sign the winger, even beating Premier League clubs to his signature.

The Englishman will leave Al-Ettifaq after a difficult two years in Saudi Arabia, where he scored four and assisted just five in 50 appearances.

The move is a complex one, with unknown costs involved for all parties. There was a clause in his deal at Al-Ettifaq that would allow Gray to leave for £6m, but the Saudi side have negotiated a different deal now.

In theory, Al-Ettifaq are letting Gray leave for nothing, but they are not paying his contract off in full; the “considerable amount” left on the deal will be picked up by Birmingham, as will any potential tax penalties Gray may incur for coming back to the UK and rescinding his non-domicile status.

With a sell-on clause thrown into the mix, and various payments and funds still to be organised, Al-Ettifaq will likely not find themselves out of pocket with this agreement.

• READ MORE: Forget Kyogo Furuhashi, Birmingham City should throw everything at ‘remarkable’ 12-goal striker

Gray can fire Birmingham to the Premier League

Birmingham already have the foundations of a promotion-chasing Championship side. Christoph Klarer is a rock at the back, and Jay Stansfield is a lethal finisher.

But Davies needed to supply some magic on either flank, and Gray – who possesses exceptional pace and incredible dribbling – can unearth his quality in the second-tier.

Stansfield will flourish with his excellent crosses being sent into the box, and as he’s someone who can operate on both flanks, he will offer versatility.

It’s encouraging that Birmingham have beaten Premier League clubs to his signature, with Gray undoubtedly believing in the project they’ve sold him.