Everton will reportedly need to pay £15 million to sign Jordan Pickford this summer – so its a surprise to see Sunderland linked with a cheap replacement.
While Jordan Pickford stands proud as a rare example of a home-grown prospect making waves in the Sunderland first-team, the harsh reality is that the Washington-born shot-stopper is unlikely to remain at his local club beyond the end of the season.
After all, The Black Cats are facing the rather daunting double act of relegation and financial disaster. The Sunderland Echo reported that only ten clubs in Europe are in more debt than the Premier League basement boys.
Therefore, they may be powerless to prevent Pickford leaving at the end of the season, especially with The Sun reporting that Everton may pay £15 million to solve their goalkeeping problem.
You’d need a powerful pair of binoculars to spot any silver lining in the clouds gathering above the Stadium of Light. Yet, at least the club can take solace in knowing that losing their talismanic goalkeeper will earn them a rather substantial windfall.
Cheap alternative?
As such, they can surely aim higher than an affordable, 32-year-old replacement. Sky Sports claimed on Monday that Sunderland have identified Hull City’s number one Eldin Jakupovic as a potential replacement for Pickford.
And while the one-time Swiss international has played a major role in The Tigers attempts to stave off relegation, making a number of crucial saves in Saturday’s 2-0 win against Watford, he is simply not in the same league as Pickford.
Though he would certainly be cheap, with just a year left on his contract at the KCom Stadium.
Although perhaps Sunderland should put that Pickford money to better use and target a goalkeeper more likely to inspire the fans.
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