West Ham United have been heavily linked with Joe Hart but Slaven Bilic should rival Everton for rising Sunderland star Jordan Pickford.
Who wants me? Man City outcast Joe Hart
The Hammers already have one eye on the summer window and have been linked with a big summer move for Manchester City outcast Hart, as reported by the likes of Sky Sports.
Pep Guardiola recently confirmed Hart has no future at the club.
But could Everton‘s reported interest in Black Cats star Pickford – as claimed by The Mirror – make Bilic think twice about his next number one after Ronald Koeman was linked with a summer bid for the standout goalkeeper of the season until his recent injury.
With Sunderland looking candidates for relegation, Pickford would surely be lured away if they did drop into the Championship this year.
While Hart has vast experience and quality, West Ham would likely have to pay at least £15 million for the man currently on loan at Italian side Torino.
A similar bid could be enough to snatch Pickford who at 22-years-old represents far better value as well as potential sell on value, something West Ham chief David Sullivan insists is key in the club’s new approach to transfer dealings in recent seasons.
England’s Joe Hart and Jordan Pickford in England training
Sunderland would be loathe to lose their homegrown star but his supreme form this season has brought him to the attention of clubs in need of a new goalkeeper.
While Darren Randolph and Adrian are solid enough goalkeepers, neither have covered themselves in glory this season.
Adrian has actually been linked with a move to the Toffees who themselves are struggling to settle on a first choice stopper.
Ronald Koeman and Slaven Bilic are both looking for new goalkeepers this summer
Republic of Ireland number one Randolph would unlikely be happy to go back to being back-up to either Hart or Pickford which may leave Bilic searching for a new number two.
Either way both clubs must address the goalkeeping situation this summer and don’t bet against Hart and Pickford ending up as the new number ones at Goodison Park and the London Stadium.
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