Tottenham and Manchester United have suffered a transfer blow after Jordan Pickford agreed to sign a new contract at Everton.
What’s the story?
Well – according to The Sun – both Antonio Conte and Erik ten Hag want to sign the England international amid doubts over the futures of Hugo Lloris and David de Gea.
The Manchester United No.1’s contract expires in June, whereas the Tottenham No.1’s current terms end in June 2024.
Both De Gea and Lloris are also far from the leading glovesmen they once were, so the Red Devils and Spurs are on the lookout for new goalkeepers.
However, it seems Pickford is going nowhere.
The Athletic believe Everton’s No.1 – who they signed from Sunderland for £30m in 2017 – has now agreed to sign a new contract at Goodison Park, after a breakthrough in negotiations with the Toffees.
Sean Dyche has since confirmed the news in a press conference, with an official announcement set to follow.
His current contract expires in June 2024.
It is said that Pickford will sign his new deal this week if all goes to plan, with Dyche viewing the 28-year-old as an influential figure at Goodison Park.
So far this season, the man with 50 caps for England has made 22 Premier League appearances for Everton, keeping five clean sheets while also conceding 30 goals.
Tottenham & Manchester United could still have a chance to sign Pickford
In our view, things could take an interesting turn if Everton are relegated to the Championship this season.
England’s No.1 will presumably not be satisfied playing in the Championship, where his chances of representing the Three Lions would take a hit as his rivals – Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale – continue to play Premier League football.
As things stand, Everton find themselves 16th in the Premier League – one point above the bottom three – so despite a recent upturn in form under Dyche, relegation is certainly still a possibility.
Therefore, Tottenham and Manchester United’s hopes of signing Pickford are not over just yet – in our view at least.
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