Everton are reportedly interested in signing Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford at the end of the season.
Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford celebrates
According to The Express, Everton are ready to challenge Manchester City for the signature of Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford this summer.
Pickford, 22, has come up through the ranks at Sunderland, and after a host of loan spells that saw him move from non-league to the Championship, he has broken into the Sunderland first team.
The England Under-21 goalkeeper has made 16 Premier League appearances this season, and whilst he’s been out with a knee injury of late, he’s primed for a return – and clubs are circling for his signature.
The Express report that Everton are prepared to battle Manchester City for Pickford’s signature, with manager Ronald Koeman keen to bring in a new shot-stopper at the end of the season.
Neither Maarten Stekelenburg or Joel Robles are seen as the long-term solution between the sticks for Everton, meaning they could move for Pickford this summer.
Everton have recently sold Bryan Oviedo and Darron Gibson to Sunderland, and one possible idea is for the Toffees to offer up more players to David Moyes to boost his squad, with the likes of Phil Jagielka, Arouna Kone, James McCarthy or even Aiden McGeady possible options to offer up in a part-exchange deal.
Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford
With Sunderland battling against relegation, Everton could be in a strong position to move for Pickford if the Black Cats do go down, and may even move if Sunderland manage to avoid the drop.
However, it’s claimed that Manchester City are also keen, with Pickford possessing the outstanding distribution skills needed to play under Pep Guardiola, meaning former Barcelona team-mates Koeman and Guardiola could go head to head for Pickford’s signature this summer.
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