After agreeing to sell Jordan Pickford to Everton, will Sunderland now beat Aston Villa and Leeds to Manchester United’s Sam Johnstone?
Aston Villa’s Sam Johnstone celebrates after their second goal
It was confirmed by the BBC that Everton had agreed a £30m deal to sign goalkeeper Jordan Pickford this summer.
The 23-year-old was one of the few positives for the Black Cats as they were relegated to the Premier League in 2016/17 and now the club will need to look elsewhere for an option between the sticks.
Southampton’s Charlie Austin in action with Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford
The Daily Mail are reporting that the North East club see Manchester United stopper Sam Johnstone as the ideal replacement for Pickford, with the 24-year-old available for around £5m.
It is certainly a deal that make sense on paper, with Johnstone doing well for Aston Villa in the Championship in the latter half of the last campaign after joining on loan from Old Trafford.
Aston Villa’s Sam Johnstone looks on as Barnsley’s Tom Bradshaw (not pictured) scores their second goal
However, if Sunderland do sign the Red Devils youth product it would see Villa – who are keen on re-signing him – along with other interested parties Bristol City, Leicester City, Leeds United and Watford, all miss out.
With Vito Mannone (who fell out of favour last term) and Mika (who is yet to make a senior appearance) the only other options in goal at the Stadium of Light, a deal to sign Johnstone could well be a priority.
Sunderland’s Vito Mannone
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
