Birmingham City have issued a statement revealing their delight at retaining the services of Academy graduate Demarai Gray.
In recent weeks, manager Gary Rowett, has consistently been forced to fend off press enquiries about Gray’s future with Championship leaders AFC Bournemouth keen on him.
Only last week Rowett dismissed reports of Gray’s exit while hailing the youngster as a “fantastic talent”
The rumours did not go away though. The Cherries made five offers for the player rising from £1.5m to a deadline day offer of £5m.
However Birmingham, who are outsiders for a play-off place after just two defeats in 14 Championship matches under Rowett, stood firm.
“It is well documented that we received several offers,” read a club statement.
“But Demarai has never once given any indication that he wanted to leave.”
“Throughout this transfer window, the board of directors and the manager have remained steadfast in the desire to keep Demarai,” the statement continued.
“We hope supporters, whose frustrations at the sale of some of our top young talents in recent times we understand, will be buoyed by this news.”
