Chelsea facing Cole Palmer dilemma, Enzo Maresca offers Jack Grealish lifeline, Antonio Rudiger extends Real Madrid stay - Paper Round

The club reportedly must balance accounting book values against the market demand for stars like Marc Cucurella, Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer.

The Sun reports: ”Chelsea face a big-name sale dilemma this summer. Fernandez is believed to have cost £106m in January 2023, rising to £110m, and his extended contract runs until 2032. Marc Cucurella is worth about £20m on the books, four years after his move in a deal worth an initial £55m, rising to £62m. 

”A fee of say, £45m, from Atletico Madrid would not be unreasonable and represent a decent profit on a player who is more easily replaceable than Fernandez, and who also stirred up trouble this season.

"Then there is Pedro, whose current book value is £52.5m, give or take. Which leaves Cole Palmer. The No 10’s current value in the accounts sits just below £30m. Even after his disappointing season, £80m would be a starting point for negotiations to buy him.”

Incoming Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca is reportedly ready to offer a clean slate to Jack Grealish when he succeeds Pep Guardiola at the Etihad this summer.

Grealish spent the season out on loan after falling down the pecking order, but the incoming Italian boss sees him as a key part of his tactical plans.

The Mirror states: ”Incoming Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca wants to hand a lifeline to outcast Jack Grealish. Maresca is expected to replace the outgoing Pep Guardiola at the Etihad this summer. And the Italian is planning to hold talks with Grealish about the chances of him reviving his City career. 

”Grealish spent this season on-loan with Everton after finding himself frozen out at the Etihad. It's understood that if Maresca replaces Guardiola, the Italian believes Grealish can be part of the team's future again under him. Grealish, who cost City a British record £100m in 2021, will be entering the final 12 months of his current deal next month.”

Antonio Rudiger is close to finalising a one-year contract extension with Real Madrid that will keep him at the Santiago Bernabeu until 2027.

The veteran defender is expected to stay on as the squad prepares for the arrival of old boss Jose Mourinho, who is poised for a dramatic return to the club.

The Athletic reports: ”Defender Antonio Rudiger is set to sign a one-year contract extension at Real Madrid. The Athletic reported on May 19 the 33-year-old was in discussions with Madrid over extending his deal, which is due to expire this summer, and following crucial talks in recent days, he is set to sign a renewal through to 2027, according to sources briefed on the situation. 

”The Madrid squad had expected Rudiger to continue at the club next season, when Jose Mourinho is poised to return to the Bernabeu as head coach. The centre-back’s anticipated renewal through to 2027 is consistent with Madrid’s policy of offering players over 30 only a one-year extension.”

Everton are plotting a £10 million swoop for Aaron Wan-Bissaka as West Ham face an immediate financial headache following their relegation from the Premier League.

The Londoners need to generate huge revenue from player sales this summer to absorb the heavy financial hit of dropping down to the Championship.

The Telegraph explains: ”Everton have targeted Aaron Wan-Bissaka in a £10m deal as clubs circle West Ham following their relegation from the Premier League. Wan-Bissaka, 28, is heading to the World Cup with DR Congo next month and is the subject of serious interest over a switch to Hill Dickinson Stadium after two seasons at West Ham, where he has played regularly since his £15m move from Manchester United. 

”Telegraph Sport has reported that West Ham need to raise around £150m in player sales to balance the books, with relegation alone costing the club £100m.”

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