Everton could return for Wilfried Gnonto and Kamaldeen Sulemana after Demarai Gray transfer news

Everton could reignite their interest in Championship duo Wilfried Gnonto of Leeds United and Kamaldeen Sulemana from Southampton after agreeing to sell Demarai Gray to Al-Ettifaq.

Gray is set to leave Everton in the coming hours after they agreed a £10million deal for the Jamaican international to join the Saudi Arabian side [Alan Myers, 6 September].

This transfer may open the door for Everton to move for two of their key summer transfer targets, with the incoming funds available for reinvestment in big-money deals, with wingers the priority.

With Gray now set to leave Goodison Park, there is a clear absence of depth out wide, with Alex Iwobi’s move to Fulham leaving a gap that will be made even more obvious by Gray’s departure.

After the Jamaican international leaves, Sean Dyche will be left with a choice between Dwight McNeil, Jack Harrison and youngster Lewis Dobbin to choose from for the two wide positions, while Arnaut Danjuma and James Garner are also capable of playing there, but prefer other positions.

Iwobi had started the season as the preferred option of the left-hand side, with Garner on the right, although it was widely recognised that both would prefer to be playing centrally. Iwobi then left to join Fulham on deadline day, leaving even fewer options.

As a result, Everton may look to go big in the January transfer window by landing one of their key targets from the summer, particularly should either Leeds or Southampton be struggling for form in the Championship, with the allure of Premier League football ringing strong.

The Merseyside club failed in their pursuit of Gnonto in particular, who had been looking to force through a move, but Leeds’ £30million valuation proved too high for Everton to match. Now, though, with the additional £10million from Gray’s sale, Everton may have raised the funds to make a move more realistic.

A report from BBC journalist Shamoon Hafez on deadline day claimed the Toffees had made a £25.7million bid for

Gnonto, which fell short of Leeds’ valuation, but with the Gray money now in their pocket, the deal could be made.

Southampton were demanding the same fee for any club interested in Sulemana [The Athletic, 1 September], with Everton watching on despite not making an official move, and should Gnonto opt to remain at Leeds, a deal for the Ghanaian could provide an alternative.

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Carlos Alcaraz pays tribute to Jude Bellingham as the Real Madrid supporter copies the England star’s celebration after reaching the semi-finals of the US Open

Carlos Alcaraz paid tribute to Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham after reaching the semi-finals at the US Open.

The World No 1 made light work of Alexander Zverev in New York, winning 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in straight sets to set up a clash with No 3 seed Daniil Medvedev for a spot in Sunday’s final.

Alcaraz is an ardent Real Madrid supporter and he made no secret of that following his victory on Wednesday night.

The 20-year-old copied Bellingham’s celebration on court, before taking to social media to share a picture of him doing so.

In a message on X, the Wimbledon winner tagged Real Madrid’s £113m summer signing, writing ‘Hey Jude,’ alongside the image of him with his arms spread out wide.

Carlos Alcaraz copied Jude Bellingham’s celebration after reaching the US Open semi-final

Real Madrid fan Alcaraz previously spoke about Bellingham during the US Open saying he is confident the England star will be the best player in the world in his midfield position

Bellingham responded to Alcaraz’s tweet describing the Spaniard as a ‘machine’

Bellingham has since responded to Alcaraz, as he commented ‘Que maquina’ – translated into English as ‘what a machine’.

He added: ‘Keep going mate,’ alongside a trophy emoji.

Alcaraz previously spoke about Bellingham during a press conference at the US Open.

He said: ‘I’m really happy to watch him play in Real Madrid. He’s such a great, talented player, one of the best in the world.

‘I’m sure that he’s going to be the best player in the world in that position. I’m just really, really happy to have him in the team. I talk a little bit with him. He’s such a great person, as well. He’s a complete guy.’

Big things were expected of Bellingham when he joined Los Blancos from Borussia Dortmund, but little would have seen the impact he has made in the first month of the season alone.

In four games, he has scored five goals, including late winners over Celta Vigo and Getafe.

Bellingham and Alcaraz are the two top young stars in their sports respectively.