Manchester City are reportedly set to challenge Everton for Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford.
Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford
According to ESPN, Sunderland are expecting Manchester City to make a summer bid for goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, in a dent to Everton’s hopes of landing him.
Pickford, 22, has come up through the ranks with Sunderland, and after a host of loan spells up and down the country – most recently with Preston North End last season – he has become one of the Premier League’s top young goalkeepers.
An accomplished shot-stopper with great distribution on his left foot, Pickford is also commanding on crosses, meaning he is the total package in goal, and will only get better over the coming years.
Unsurprisingly, Pickford’s displays have attracted major interest, and Pep Guardiola’s men are now believed to be preparing a big summer bid to land Pickford according to ESPN, given goalkeeping issues at the Etihad Stadium.
Joe Hart has been loaned out to Torino with seemingly no future under Guardiola, whilst Claudio Bravo has struggled in his first season at the club, having been brought in from Barcelona with a view to playing out from the back.
Pickford’s distribution skills made him ideal for that role, and with City potentially offering Champions League football – even if they don’t win this year’s competition – it means Everton may struggle to land him.
The Liverpool Echo recently claimed that Everton are eyeing Pickford for a summer move, as manager Ronald Koeman and Director of Football Steve Walsh chase a new goalkeeper.
Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford celebrates
Everton may be able to offer Europa League football, but the only way they will really be able to challenge City for Pickford’s signature is by promising first-team football ahead of Joel Robles and Maarten Stekelenburg.
Pickford may be viewed as one for the future at Goodison Park, but having put himself in contention for the England squad with his displays this season, he will want to continue that next season and beyond.
First-team football at Goodison Park may be easier to come by, but City may now consider themselves favourites for the youngster’s signature, whilst Sunderland will be hoping for a bidding war – especially if they suffer relegation to the Championship.
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