What The Papers Say – June 12

The views on this page are taken from the local and national media and do not necessarily reflect the views of Everton.

The Liverpool Echo report on Jordan Pickford’s never-before-seen motocross challenge with six-time SuperEnduro World Champion Billy Bolt, which saw him trying to save penalties taken by Bolt on his bike at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Echo also look back at previous quotes from Pickford about how he would have loved to take part in motocross, but that the terms of his contract prevent him from doing so.

Chris Beesley writes: "Jordan Pickford is used to facing world football’s top strikers, but the Everton goalkeeper geared up for his third World Cup finals as England number one with a ‘never before seen’ sporting challenge at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

"Bringing together two of the north’s biggest sporting personalities, a film shown on Instagram sees Enduro legend and Newcastle United fan Billy Bolt go up against Sunderland supporter and avid motocross enthusiast Pickford. With access to Everton’s 52,769 capacity waterfront home, Bolt pushes the boundaries of what’s possible on two wheels, riding throughout stadium in a way it has never experienced before.

"Asked to share something that might surprise supporters in an ECHO article by Joe Thomas published last November, Pickford detailed his love for motocross, something he can only watch, not participate in, because of the terms of his Everton contract.

"He explained: 'I am not allowed to do it as a footballer, but I would love to be able to do motocross. I grew up going to watch it every week with my mates, and my best mate now rides in the British Championships. If I could I would go every week to watch as much as I can. I would do it if I could but there are strict rules in our contracts where we are not allowed to do activities like that. That is probably one thing in my life I would have loved to have done."

SportParma are reporting that Everton, Newcastle and Brentford have added Parma striker Mateo Pellegrino to their respective transfer lists.

The Argentine forward, who scored 12 goals in 39 appearances for Parma side last season, has also courted interest from Serie A sides Bologna, Como and Fiorentina.

Stefano Pertoldi writes: "Newcastle, Everton, and Brentford have added Pellegrino to their respective transfer lists. All three are seeking young, physically strong players with room for growth. The allure of the Premier League and the financial strength of English clubs are factors not to be underestimated, especially if significant, concrete offers were to arrive in the coming days.

"'We know there's a lot of interest, but we're in no rush,’ Parma CEO Federico Cherubini explained a few days ago."

Meanwhile InsideFutbol say that Everton face competition to sign Manchester City defender Nathan Ake from Turkish side Fenerbahce.

Shubhansh Singh writes: "According to Turkish outlet HT Spor (via Fanatik), ‘the plane is taking off’ and Fenerbahce sporting director Oguz Cetin will ‘soon travel to England’ to try to do the Ake transfer.

"He is in demand again this summer and Everton have been heavily linked with wanting to sign Ake.

"Ake has been widely expected to move on from Manchester City and West Ham United tried to sign him in January, but he was not interested in joining the Hammers.”