Steven Gerrard lights Everton transfer fuse as Demarai Gray faces Sean Dyche wrath amid Ettifaq interest

Steven Gerrard's bid to lure Everton star Demarai Gray has caused a war of words on Merseyside.

The Al-Ettifaq boss wants to add the 27-year-old Englishman to his Pro League squad with reports suggesting a deal is close for the attacker to join Gerrard in the Middle East. But the Toffees man took to social media vent his frustrations after not appearing for Everton so far this campaign saying: “It’s so difficult to play for someone who doesn’t show you respect as a person.” It sparked a heated debate on Merseyside with Sean Dyche issuing a strong response in turn.

Gray didn't get a move before the closure of the English Premier League transfer deadline on Friday, but the Saudi transfer market remains open until Thursday having seen the likes of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and N'Golo Kante leave England's top flight for Saudi. But the former Rangers boss' plan to bring Gray in has Dyche claiming there is no done deal yet, but that the player had 'made it clear' he didn't want to train.

Dyche said: “It’s an unfortunate one because I try to keep our business in-house. I think on this occasion, it’s right to reply. Demarai made it clear that he felt he was getting a move (away from Everton) and he told us a move was done, which was interesting to hear from a player.

“We reminded him of the truth of the fact that no moves are done without this club’s say so. We look after these players; we look at all the different ways of looking after them: mental and wellbeing is big, the tactics and technical, the physical.

“When it comes to a time like that then you go, ‘Well, hang on a minute. You made it clear you didn’t want to train, you didn’t want to be here, and you also said there was a move that was a done deal’.

“We said it’s not