The Sunderland ‘keeper is exactly what Everton need next season but he will not come cheap.
According to a report from the Sun, Everton will open the bidding for Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford at £10million, although the Express claim the Black Cats are holding out for £30million.
That is quite a difference, but given the Toffees’ need for a quality stopper with years ahead of him, should they pay whatever it takes to bring the 23-year-old to Goodison Park?
Everton manager Ronald Koeman will be well aware of the challenge he faces to get his side into the top four sooner rather than later – an aspiration he must have with the sizeable funds now available to him – and the addition of Pickford would certainly be a big step in the right direction.
While the majority of Everton fans may balk at the thought of paying tens of millions for a ‘keeper, there are few around with the innate talent and Premier League experience that the Sunderland man possesses.
The Black Cats may not get the £30million they hope for but similarly Everton are unlikely to succeed unless they up their offer considerably.
The prospect of meeting in the middle may ultimately appeal, and Koeman would be wise to remember that plenty of other top flight clubs would love to have Pickford in their ranks.
The question is: Should Everton pay whatever it takes for the future England regular or risk missing out on him altogether.
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