CHERRIES are understood to have had a third bid for winger Demarai Gray rejected by Championship rivals Birmingham City.

Reports emanating from the Midlands suggest the Dean Court club submitted a £3million offer for the 18-year-old with potential for a further £500,000 in add-ons.

Cherries were first linked with Gray on New Year’s Eve when an unconfirmed report in the Daily Mail suggested Blues had turned down an offer of £1.5million.

A subsequent article on Birmingham City’s website said the club had “turned down an improved offer” for Gray and also cited Cherries as the unsuccessful bidders.

The Echo has been unable to contact any Cherries officials regarding latest reports but understands that City have dismissed a third offer. 

Cherries chief executive Neill Blake made clear the club’s intent to keep transfer business private in response to Birmingham’s claims a fortnight ago.

Speaking to the Daily Echo on January 8, Blake said: “Our policy is to conduct our transfer business in private and not through local or national newspapers or any other media.

“The manager has made our position crystal clear and we, as a club, will not be commenting on transfer speculation.

“Like a lot of other clubs, we are active in the transfer market and the manager has already said publicly that he and his staff are looking at players.

“Should anything come to fruition, it would be reported through the correct channels on our official website.”