Watford set to seal £18.5m Andre Gray transfer... after Burnley boss Sean Dyche stopped his Little Mix singer girlfriend Leigh-Anne Pinnock from sitting in directors' box

  • Watford set to seal club record £18.5m transfer of Burnley's Andre Gray
  • The 26-year-old scored nine times in the Premier League last season
  • Gray's girlfriend, Little Mix singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock, was blocked from sitting in the director's box by manager Sean Dyche

Watford are close to agreeing an £18.5million deal for Burnley striker Andre Gray.

The move comes after it was revealed that Burnley manager Sean Dyche blocked Gray's girlfriend - Little Mix singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock - from sitting in the directors' box despite being invited on more than one occasion, because she was too famous. 

The Turf Moor club had turned down two previous offers from Watford and said they wanted to keep the 26-year-old. 

Gray with his girlfriend, Little Mix singer Leigh-Ann Pinnock, together on holiday. The singer was blocked from watching games in the Burnley directors' box

Gray with his girlfriend, Little Mix singer Leigh-Ann Pinnock, together on holiday. The singer was blocked from watching games in the Burnley directors' box

Forward Andre Gray is on the verge of signing for Watford in a £18.5million summer transfer

Forward Andre Gray is on the verge of signing for Watford in a £18.5million summer transfer

He scored nine times in the Premier League last season and will be the club's record signing

He scored nine times in the Premier League last season and will be the club's record signing

However, with Watford increasing their offer and the player having one year left on contract, a deal is now closer to conclusion. 


In a strange twist, Gray's partner has become embroiled in the move, although there is no suggestion that the forward is leaving because of the club's treatment towards her.

Leigh-Anne Pinnock, famous for being part of successful girl group Little Mix, sat with the rest of the team's wives and girlfriends because Dyche didn't want the 25-year-old to receive preferential treatment. 

Gray scored nine times and provided three assists in the Premier League last season as Burnley secured their status in the top tier by finishing 16th.  

Sean Dyche is wasting no time in trying to spend the money recouped by selling the striker

Sean Dyche blocked Gray's girlfriend, Leigh-Ann Pinnock from sitting in the directors' box

A move has been on the cards for some time and the striker is set to drastically increase his wage to around £70,000 a week. 

Burnley have held talks over Napoli striker Duvan Zapata as a potential replacement.