Demarai Gray to sign new Leicester deal in 24 to 48 hours, says Craig Shakespeare
Thursday 28 September 2017 17:00, UK
Leicester's Demarai Gray is expected to sign a new deal at the club in the next 24 to 48 hours, according to manager Craig Shakespeare.
Gray, who joined the club from Birmingham in 2016, was the subject of multiple bids from Premier League clubs during the summer transfer window.
During the 21-year-old's time at the King Power, Gray has grown frustrated due to a lack of first-team opportunities - his last Premier League start for Leicester coming back in April against Everton.
Gray could feature for Leicester on Saturday against Bournemouth - one of the teams who were eager to secure his signature during the transfer window.
When asked about Gray's potential new deal, Shakespeare said: "I'm hopeful that will be concluded very soon. I'm hoping (it'll be done) within the next 24-48 hours."
"He's one that we want to improve with us and it shows our stance that we want to keep our best players.
Shakespeare also revealed he has no idea how long it will be until Adrien Silva can feature for Leicester, admitting he is growing frustrated by the "unique" situation.
Silva's £22m deadline day move from Sporting Lisbon to the King Power Stadium was blocked by FIFA after the FA received the documentation 14 seconds after the deadline.
"We are letting the process take it's course, but my question every day is 'how long is the process?'. No one can give me an answer," said Shakespeare.
"It's such a unique situation. My frustration is the same as everybody else - the supporters, the club, the player himself.
"He's OK, but he has his little moments of course. He asks, 'Coach can I come outside?' and I say, 'just have a look out the window'. It's (about) keeping him in and around it but we also know that legally we have to make sure that we do everything right as well."
