Everton boss Frank Lampard is confident Jordan Pickford is ‘very happy’ at the club amid transfer interest from Tottenham Hotspur. He is Spurs’ top target to replace Hugo Lloris.
Pickford has returned to Goodison Park following his role in England reaching the quarter-finals at the 2022 World Cup. Gareth Southgate started the goalkeeper during all five of the Three Lions’ fixtures in Qatar. He also kept three clean sheets at his second World Cup yet.
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The 28-year-old flew to the Middle East on the back of keeping three clean sheets over 14 Premier League appearances. Pickford has only missed one of Everton’s top-flight matches so far this season. A thigh injury kept the 50-cap stopper out at home to West Ham United.
But Pickford is only under contract at Everton to June 2024 having not extended his £100k-a-week deal since September 2018. The Toffees afforded the goalkeeper improved terms a year after joining from Sunderland. Ronald Koeman acquired him for £25m, rising to £30m.
Now, his contract at Everton has Tottenham’s interest as they target a transfer for Pickford for next summer. TuttoMercatoWEB reports Spurs view the goalkeeper as their top target to replace Lloris. The France star is under contract to 2024 but he will turn 36 this Boxing Day.
Everton boss Lampard hints Pickford could snub a transfer to Tottenham
Yet Lampard has now hinted Pickford may snub any interest Tottenham show in a transfer for the Everton vice-captain. He has claimed new contracts are ‘close’ for a number of the Toffees’ key players. He also feels the Blues can match Pickford’s ambitions for the future.
“I feel we can because I don’t think it’s straightforward to look at an individual and see what their ambitions are,” Lampard said, as quoted by talkSPORT. “Jordan is England’s No.1 and has secured that position, which has been an amazing achievement by him.
“Playing at Everton, he’s been a huge reason why we had a great run at the end of last season. When we stayed in the league, everyone knows Jordan was a massive part of that.
“Jordan feels very happy being at this club. I won’t speak for him but that’s the impression I get from him. So, I don’t think it’s as simple as that because he’s very happy here.”
Pickford could make his 214th appearance for Everton in all competitions if he features at home to Wolves on Boxing Day. While Tottenham resume their Premier League term after the World Cup break at Brentford. Lloris could also enjoy his 438th outing with Spurs then.
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