Demarai Gray has informed Saudi Pro League club "Al-Ettifaq" of his desire to return to England this summer, with his boyhood club "Birmingham City" emerging as a potential destination. The 28-year-old winger joined the Saudi side in 2023 but appears keen on a homecoming after less than two years abroad.
"I've had a good experience in Saudi Arabia, but at this point in my career, returning to England feels right for me and my family," Gray might be thinking as he considers his next move.
Gray's journey since leaving Birmingham has been quite the ride. He departed the Blues in 2015 for "Leicester City," where he promptly won a Premier League title in his first season. After a brief spell with "Bayer Leverkusen" in Germany, he returned to England with "Everton" in 2021 before making the switch to Saudi Arabia.
Interestingly, the Jamaica international scored eight goals in 78 appearances during his previous stint at Birmingham, where he first made his name in professional football. Now, the Championship side has reportedly made an enquiry about bringing their academy graduate back to St Andrew's.
Gray isn't short of options, though. Newly promoted "Sunderland" have shown longstanding interest, while Italian outfit "Fiorentina" are also monitoring his situation. The big question is whether the winger would consider dropping to the Championship after playing at Premier League level for much of his career.
By the way, "Al-Ettifaq" – managed by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard – won't let Gray leave on the cheap. The Saudi club is reportedly seeking around £8 million to part with a player who still has two years remaining on his four-year contract.
Gray currently plays alongside the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson, and Moussa Dembele in Saudi Arabia, but could a return to where it all began be on the cards? Birmingham fans will certainly hope so.
