Millwall goalkeeper Tom King is reportedly on Everton’s radar as they target a new back-up goalkeeper. And interest from Stoke City should speed up their pursuit.
Maarten Stekelenburg has hardly convinced this season
Everton’s need for a new goalkeeper has been well known for quite some time. Every unconvincing Joel Robles flap or Maarten Stekelenburg howler has only reinforced the notion that manager Ronald Koeman made a mistake not enhancing his options last summer.
Better late than never anyway.
The Liverpool Echo claims that Sunderland sensation Jordan Pickford remains Everton’s first choice target, even if they are unwilling to meet the recently relegated Wearsider’s ambitious £30million asking price.
Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford starred despite their relegation
The Toffees are understood to have tabled an opening bid of just £8million as the saga threatens to drag on over the next few weeks.
Therefore, perhaps they should make inroads on another target as their impasse with Sunderland continues.
Keeper fit for a King
The Stoke Sentinal claims that Stoke City are stepping up their interest in Millwall’s 22-year-old shot-stopper Tom King following the release of veteran Shay Given. Watford are also understood to be interested, which should only spur Everton into action.
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes reportedly wants a new goalkeeper
The Sun claimed earlier this year that the Toffees were interested in making King their new back-up shot-stopper after an eye-catching breakthrough season as The Lions earned promotion back to the Championship.
King impressed despite fumbling a Son Heung-Min shot into his own net in Millwall’s 5-0 FA Cup quarter-final thrashing at Tottenham Hotspur and could be trying his luck against Premier League opposition on a more regular basis next season. Crystal Palace, who released the former England youth international three years ago, could be kicking themselves.
And with Pickford’s deal no closer to completion, Everton should at least kick-start their summer plans by tying down their first new shot-stopper.
Perhaps Joel and Stekelenburg should start packing their bags.
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