Manchester City are facing a costly summer as they prepare to subsidize a portion of the wages for Kyle Walker and Jack Grealish in order to finally move both players on, according to multiple reports.
Walker and Grealish on the Move: City Likely to Help Fund Their Departures
With Pep Guardiola pushing to trim a bloated squad—now bolstered by four new signings including Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Marcus Bettinelli—pressure is mounting on City’s hierarchy to find exits for fringe players.
Walker, 35, returned from a mixed loan spell at AC Milan and once again finds himself surplus to requirements.
Everton, likely reunited under David Moyes, and Turkish side Fenerbahce are interested, though neither can comfortably match his salary.
Football Insider reports that City may need to cover part of his wages—and potentially waive his final year’s contract—to make a move feasible.
Meanwhile, Jack Grealish continues to struggle for playing time and was conspicuously left out of Manchester City’s Club World Cup squad.
Interest has been sparked from both Everton and Napoli, but his hefty £300,000-per-week wages remain a sticking point.
Napoli reportedly want City to subsiduize up to 50% of his salary if he goes on loan; Everton are also exploring a loan scenario, with a permanent deal likely contingent on City’s financial support.
Guardiola has made his intentions clear: he is seeking a leaner squad heading into the new season.
Both Walker and Grealish are understood to want first-team football—Walker to maintain his England ambitions, and Grealish to revive his career.
City appear ready to dig into their own finances to ensure both departures go through this summer.
