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Jack Grealish’s salary an obstacle for suitors Napoli, Kyle Walker agrees Everton transfer – Paper Round
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Published 16/06/2025 at 23:27 GMT+1
Tuesday’s Paper Round leads on Manchester City duo Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker. Grealish has been linked with a move to Napoli, but his wages could be a stumbling block, while Walker is set to join Everton. Elsewhere, Newcastle are set to begin talks with Brighton for Joao Pedro, while Manchester United have been monitoring a holding midfielder at Nice.
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Napoli weigh up Grealish move
Napoli are weighing up a move for Jack Grealish but would not be willing to match the player’s current Manchester City wages, the Telegraph reports.
Grealish is up for sale after being left out of City’s Club World Cup squad, and with clubs in the Premier League and abroad potentially interested, his salary – currently around £300,000 a week – could be the biggest stumbling block.
The Telegraph adds: “Napoli showed an interest in Grealish in the January transfer window and head coach Antonio Conte rates the 29-year-old. But the Italians are yet to make a move for Grealish this summer as they weigh up whether they believe a deal could be done.
“Napoli are already clear that they will not match Grealish’s wages and it could be that City would have to fund as much as 50 per cent of the England international’s salary to make a move realistic.
“Grealish is expected to attract interest from the Premier League and overseas, but clubs may well wait until later in the transfer window to make a move.
“City are optimistic they will receive offers to sell Grealish permanently, but other sources believe an initial loan move is more likely. It is unclear whether Grealish has a preference in terms of his next move, but the former Aston Villa captain is known to be desperate to give himself the best possible chance of winning his England place back in time for next summer’s World Cup.”
Walker to Everton
Kyle Walker has agreed to join Everton from Manchester City, The Sun reports. The full-back had a loan spell at AC Milan but despite returning to City he has no future at the club.
The 35-year-old could either join Everton on loan or sign a permanent deal, bringing an end to his eight years at the Etihad since signing for £50m from Spurs in 2017.
The Sun adds: “Everton and current club Manchester City will now thrash out whether it is a permanent deal or just a 12-month loan while he sees out the remainder of his Etihad contract.
“Fulham also enquired about the 35-year-old but could not afford his package.
“Walker has jetted out to New York for a whistlestop tour of the Big Apple before heading to Jamaica for a two-week holiday.
“The 35-year-old won 17 major honours - including six Prem titles - during a glittering eight years at City.”
Newcastle open Pedro talks
Newcastle are set to begin negotiations with Brighton for striker Joao Pedro, the Telegraph reports. The £60m-rated Brazilian is said to be open to a move, with Newcastle playing Champions League football next season.
The 22-year-old is a priority target for Newcastle with Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo likely going elsewhere.
The Telegraph adds: “Brighton are likely to want to maximise the fee with Newcastle valuing the player at around £60m.
“There is a growing confidence that a deal can be done, although sources have stressed there is still a lot of work to do before Newcastle complete their first transfer of the summer.
“The fact that Brighton have already added a striker in this transfer window, in the shape of exciting Greek youngster Charalampos Kostoulas, would appear to improve Newcastle’s chances of a successful pursuit of Joao Pedro. However, there is caution too as Pedro has been looked at by other Premier League clubs such as Chelsea.
“Manager Eddie Howe has been a huge fan of the forward for several years and was on the verge of signing him in the summer of 2022, before landing Alexander Isak in a club-record £63 million deal.”
Man Utd scout Nice midfielder
Manchester United have been scouting Hicham Boudaoui, a holding midfielder from fellow Ineos-owned club Nice, as they look at cheaper options this summer, The Sun reports.
United sent a scout to Sweden’s international friendly against Algeria last week to monitor the 24-year-old, who has been tipped to leave the Ligue 1 side in the coming weeks.
The Sun adds: “Despite coming off after an hour, with his team trailing 4-0, Boudaoui demonstrated why many in France think he is ready for the Premier League.
“The 25-year-old won all of his ground duels and looked unruffled when put under pressure inside Algeria’s half.
“He also showed a great range of passing with one excellent switch of play out to the right flank.”
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