Crystal Palace ready to move for out-of-favour Leicester title winner

Dave Tindall

Crystal Palace are lining up a move for Leicester City’s Demarai Gray following the winger’s lack of opportunities under Brendan Rodgers.

Gray won the title with Leicester in 2016. But he’s not been a part of their rise to third place this season.

The former England U21 international has featured in just two games.

The first of those was a 2-0 home loss to Arsenal in the EFL Cup. The second was against Palace themselves. Gray came on after 72 minutes with Palace 1-o up but helped the visitors grab a point.

And now it seems that Eagles boss Roy Hodgson is keen to bring him to Selhurst Park.

Londonnewsonline suggest the player could be available for a cut-price figure of under £2million.

They suggest Gray looks a perfect fit as Palace look to bring down the average age of their squad.

The Eagles have been hit by a long-term injury to Jeffrey Schlupp. And that leaves just Andros Townsend and Ebere Eze as Hodgson’s wide options.

Gray was born in Birmingham and started out at his hometown club. He scored eight goals in 72 appearances before moving to Leicester in January 2016.

He was part of their shock title-winning outfit that season and has been a valuable squad member since.

But Rodgers hasn’t included him in his plans this term.

Rodgers won’t stand in Gray’s way

Demarai Gray Leicester

The Leicester boss confirmed last month that Gray was looking to depart the King Power Stadium.

Rodgers said: “It’s pretty clear with Demarai that he’s looking to move on. His attitude to training has been first class, he has been very professional.

“He is at the stage of his career where he has been here a long time and hasn’t maybe nailed down a place. A fresh start may be the course for him.

“I will always respect him and until his last day I will never discard him. But it’s looking more than likely he will probably be somewhere else next season.”

Gray has scored 13 goals in his 169 appearances for Leicester.