Sunderland will likely need a new goalkeeper with Jordan Pickford the subject of plenty of interest – so what about Hull City’s Eldin Jakupovic?
Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford has been tipped to be England’s future number one
It’s little surprise that Jordan Pickford was forced into more saves than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League in 2016/17. That is just the nature of plying your trade behind a backline containing Papy Djilobodji.
As such, the homegrown hero appears almost certain to depart this summer following the Black Cats’ relegation – depsite the Liverpool Echo claiming that smitten suitors Everton are unwilling to meet their £30 million asking price.
Nonetheless, even if the debt-ridden Sunderland are forced to sell Pickford at a lower fee, the 23-year-old’s exit would give the club’s new manager much needed funds to reinforce a squad likely to be crippled by a series of departures.
However, the Wearsider’s need more than a safe pair of hands. A new goalscorer is a must, while a lack of creativity in midfield, speed on the wings and reliability at centre-half should also be addressed this summer.
Therefore, the fact that one of Sunderland’s top goalkeeping targets could be available for as little as £1.8 million means they should jump at the chance. After all, that would leave them with plenty of funds left over to strengthen a squad lacking in both quality and quantity.
According to the Daily Mirror, Hull City shot-stopper Eldin Jakupovic could be available for pocket change. However, the one-time Swiss international was one of The Tigers’ stand-out players in their short-lived spell in the top flight.
Eldin Jakupovic is a fans favourite at Hull
In fact, without his virtuoso performances in the final weeks of the campaign, Hull may have joined Sunderland in the Championship far quicker.
And Sky Sports claimed in April that Jakupovic has piqued Sunderland’s interest. At just £1.8 million, signing him is nothing short of a no-brainer – the fact that he has two Championship promotions on his CV shouldn’t do him any harm either.
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