Liverpool FC Transfer News: Reds Seal First Option Deal for English Winger

A day after rumours linked Liverpool to 19-year-old Serbian midfielder Marko Grujic, a £5M deal that would see the youngster loaned straight back to Red Star Belgrade for the second half of the season appears all but done. And it looks like that move could be followed up with a quick deal for another youngster.

This time, it’s a young English winger, 19-year-old Birmingham City starlet Demarai Gray, a highly regarded talent who has already made 73 senior appearances for the Championship club. That includes a quite stunning 43 appearances last season as an 18-year-old, when he also scored six times for the Birmingham Blues.

According to both the Metro and Bleacher Report, claiming sources at the Birmingham end, Liverpool have reached an agreement that grants them the first option on Gray. As such, it’s unlikely he will be showing up at Anfield in January. And he might not even make a switch come the opening of the summer transfer window.

But if true, it means that when the time comes for Gray to move on from Birmingham, Liverpool will be given first chance at him and that if another club’s bid is accepted, the Reds would have the chance to match, with their bid taking precedence. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s deal that at least puts them in the driver’s seat.

Gray is one of the top young English prospects, and he has been followed closely by Arsenal, Tottenham, and Southampton. Liverpool have also been linked with a move for him a number of times over the past year. As yet there have been no reports detailing what Liverpool have had to give up to secure the rumoured deal.