Newcastle United are reportedly interested in Jordan Pickford, but his £20m valuation could be a massive stumbling block.
Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford applauds fans after the match
Sunderland will struggle to keep hold of their star players in the summer after the Black Cats have been relegated to the Championship.
According to reports from The Telegraph, the Black Cats are braced for bids for goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, and the club will demand at least £20m for the 23-year-old.
Last month, The Sun reported that Newcastle are interested in signing the England U-21 international in the summer transfer window.
The British tabloid claimed that the Magpies are ready to offer the goalkeeper a lengthy contract and a weekly salary of £75,000.
England’s Jordan Pickford, Fraser Forster and Joe Hart during training
The Sun mentioned Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and West Ham United as other interested parties for the goalkeeper.
Pickford has earlier told Sky Sports that he will never join Newcastle, but stranger things do happen during the transfer window.
Purely from footballing perspective, Pickford’s valuation could force Newcastle from leaving the chasing pack.
While Rafael Benitez could be handed a massive transfer war-chest, thought to be in the region of £100 million, he would certainly be looking to use the money wisely.
Signing a goalkeeper is not Newcastle’s first priority at the moment. There are others areas of the squad that needs immediate attention.
Therefore, paying one fifth of the total transfer budget on a single player, that too on a goalkeeper, no matter how good he is, does not reflect a smart business.
Pickford would have been a solid addition to the Newcastle squad, but it is highly unlikely the Magpies will show any further interest in the player.
Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford
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