Leicester City winger Demarai Gray eager to sign new deal
By James Lassey
Leicester City winger Demarai Gray says he is now willing to sign a new contract following the appointment of new manager Claude Puel.
Former Foxes boss Craig Shakespeare had reported that the 21-year-old was close to signing a new deal last month.
Gray showed his qualities to new manager Claude Puel in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Everton. His dazzling first-half run helped Riyad Mahrez set up Jamie Vardy for the first and he was there to strike for the home side’s second. The goal was his first in the league in over a year.
"Speaking to the BBC, Gray said: “We wanted to see who the new manager was, a bit of stability, but I’m happy playing football here, “It’s for my representative and the backroom staff to deal with. All I can do is what I’ve done [against Everton]. When they give me the phone call we’ll get it sorted.”"
Gray caught the attention of Premier League clubs in the summer. with Leicester rejecting offers from Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.
The England-under-21 international joined Leicester back in January 2016 from Birmingham City for a fee of £3.7 million. He has gone on to make 51 appearances for the Foxes but has become frustrated at times due to not being handed many first team starts.
Gray has only made the starting line-up on 12 occasions in his 20 months at the Kingpower Stadium, having come on as a substitute 39 times.
Gray hopes that his Everton performance puts him in good stead for more first team opportunities in the coming months.
"“I’ve always said I’m ready to play and I’ve waited a long time,” Gray said. “Hopefully now this can be a start of a run of games for me.“It’s what I need, to get some confidence and momentum myself and most importantly develop as a player.”"
Puel enjoyed a winning start and spoke about the importance of “seducing” players to stay last week, the Frenchman will be keen to nail down the Englishman’s signature sonner rather than later.
The Foxes come up against 14th place Stoke City on Saturday. They meet in a mid-table showdown which could leave the loser on the brink of the relegation places.