Demarai Gray: Leicester midfielder 'close to new deal'

Last updated on 18 September 2017.From the section Football32

Demarai Gray is close to signing a new Leicester deal, says manager Craig Shakespeare who added that the winger should use Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo as inspiration.

The Foxes reportedly rejected bids this summer from Bournemouth and Tottenham for Gray, who is set to start in Tuesday's EFL Cup game against Liverpool.

The 21-year-old has scored three goals since joining from Birmingham in 2016 and his end product has been criticised.

Portugal forward Ronaldo was 18 when he signed for Manchester United in 2003 and he took time to settle at Old Trafford.

"People used to criticise Ronaldo for the same things," said Shakespeare.

"With run of games and experience, that will come.

"If the opposition put two defenders against you and you're trying to beat them all the time, then you have to find another solution. That's what football is all about, finding the right solution for that given moment.

Speaking about the England U21 player's deal, Shakespeare added: "The contract is in the final instalments, his advisers are talking with our director of football and I'm excepting that to be completed sooner rather than later."

Leicester have won one of their past eight Premier League games and the former champions are 15th in the table after a 1-1 draw at Huddersfield on Saturday.

Shakespeare said that the club intend to keep all of their players, adding: "It's well documented we had bids for Demarai. We didn't want to sell him, we want to build the club with players of his ilk.

"He's shown a real desire now to want to stay and progress his career with this club. It's important we now tie that one up and concentrate purely on his football."

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32 comments

Comment posted by custos morum, at 12:37 19 Sep 2017
Shakespeare didn't compare him to Ronaldo. He said he needs to improve his game and learn the same lessons Ronaldo had to learn. Can some of you not read?
Comment posted by eastlangtonfox, at 08:49 19 Sep 2017
He has quality, I was at Bramall Lane when he scored that great solo goal and had a very good game but that dive at Huddersfield was embarrassing and he needs to release the ball as opposed to overdoing it on occasion, rather like knockaert used to do
Comment posted by koiahoy, at 08:33 19 Sep 2017
He looks a decent prospect and I hope he gets a run in the Leicester team to show what he can do. That said, it's a tough ask as Albrighton is very consistent and a great crosser of the ball.
Comment posted by Shufflebox, at 09:33 19 Sep 2017
How dumb is that comment "player to use CR as inspiration"?! No way?! Seriously?! A pro footballer to use one of the best footballers ever as a role model? Shocking!
Comment posted by User0706664498, at 14:06 19 Sep 2017
West Yorkshire Police are still looking for the sniper in the John Smiths stadium who shot Gray on Saturday when he was clean through on goal.
Comment posted by nosher, at 07:56 19 Sep 2017
On the verge could go either way, contract will show
Comment posted by letmedemonstrate, at 12:27 19 Sep 2017
He clearly has some talent ... seems odd to me that he doesn't get a huge amount of game time there ... hope it works out for him
Comment posted by Fidgetwidget, at 09:47 19 Sep 2017
If he is to go down Ronaldo route. He needs to increase his ego and smash the gym. Once his fitness is at least twice as good as any player? He will have to practice an extra 2-4 hours extra per day when other players have head off in the afternoon.

Only then will he become a great player.

Or he can do what most in EPL do? Collect a handsome wage for not doing much.
Comment posted by Rob, at 00:11 19 Sep 2017
A spell-check will allow "excepting" to pass through when the word is probably "expecting". Proof reading is a dying art and it shames me that my beloved BBC fails to check its copy sufficiently now. From a footballing perspective, Gray is too much of a Prima Donna for someone who has proven so little in their short career, if the various media reports are to be believed.......
Comment posted by D1679618928630, at 11:01 19 Sep 2017
Compares him to GOATnaldo

"Demarai Gray scored his first goal since February against Sheffield United in the EFL Cup in August"
Comment posted by Foxes, at 14:25 19 Sep 2017
Got potential no doubt and I can only see him getting better but he can be so frustrating at times, prime example is on Saturday clean through and decides to fall over.
Comment posted by maybetomorrow, at 17:55 19 Sep 2017
@27 he could have used someone else. Ronaldo is a superstar. Look at harry kane. A few years ago he was 3rd choice.
Comment posted by Stephen, at 09:54 19 Sep 2017
Gray has been led to believe he is actually better than he really is unfortunately.
Comment posted by Mordor Tourism Board, at 13:51 19 Sep 2017
I think he has a lot of potential, but that's like so many young British players. Once the money starts to come in and they are surrounded by better players they become less motivated and feel less needed.

He needs to forget about the money and that he isn't starting regularly. Rather than look at the exit he needs to show he is indispensable to the team.
Comment posted by DJF 76, at 11:28 19 Sep 2017
sort out your attitude. not as good as you think you are. when you have played you've done very little to justify a starting spot
Comment posted by FoxInTheBox, at 20:06 19 Sep 2017
As usual the jobless get in first every negative comment below #10 we're looking at you! Good career advice just hope we can muster more than a draw against huds to make it look realistic
Comment posted by Chris, at 09:09 19 Sep 2017
Please play him a lot more, or sell him to someone who will. He needs to be playing at this stage. England needs him.
Comment posted by Alfie Noakes, at 07:31 19 Sep 2017
He'll improve vastly if he stays on his feet and puts the ball in the back of the net when through on goal instead of falling over and hoping to get a penalty when he's been breathed on by a defender.
Comment posted by U16650765, at 07:05 19 Sep 2017
Would this deal have been on the table had they went about Silva in the proper fashion ? Doubt it.
Comment posted by Greatblackhawk, at 08:06 19 Sep 2017
He's a fringe player who needs more game time.
Although not a huge fan of the loan system maybe a spell of regular first team football away from Leicester might suss out whether he has what it takes
The jury is still out
Comparisons with CR7 are absurd