Everton to avoid ‘damaging exit’ with Man Utd, Tottenham target ‘close’ to agreeing new deal

Reported Man Utd target Jordan Pickford gives the thumbs up Credit: Alamy
Reported Man Utd target Jordan Pickford gives the thumbs up Credit: Alamy

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is reportedly ‘close’ to signing a new contract amidst rumours of a move to Man Utd or Tottenham.

Several of the Premier League’s big boys are on the search for a new goalkeeper and Pickford has emerged as a target for a fair few of them.

There are doubts over Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy at Chelsea, meanwhile, Man Utd and Spurs are both looking for long-term successors to David de Gea and Hugo Lloris, respectively.

Pickford has impressed for the Toffees in recent seasons, eradicating the frequent errors from his game, while showing a stellar ability with the ball at his feet.

The former Sunderland youngster has also been England’s no. 1 for several years now, though he has Newcastle’s Nick Pope and Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale vying for his shirt.

Pickford has entered the final 18 months of his Everton contract, further adding to the rumours that he could leave the Merseyside club.

Transfer journalist Graeme Bailey reported earlier this month that Man Utd, Chelsea and Spurs are all “admirers” of the 28-year-old, with an Everton exit likely to be a “damaging” one.

However, it now looks like the Toffees will avoid having to make the decision on whether or not to cash in on the goalkeeper at the end of the season.

According to The Times, Pickford is ‘close’ to signing a new contract.

‘Doubts’ over the player’s future are now likely to come to an end after ‘several months’ of contract negotiations.

‘Significant progress’ in talks have left Everton feeling ‘optimistic’ they will not lose Pickford, the report adds.

Pickford has ‘always’ shown an eagerness to renew his Toffees contract ‘despite their precarious position in the Premier League’.

While the England no. 1 appears to be a lot less error-prone these days, he did make quite a costly mistake in Everton’s Merseyside derby defeat to Liverpool earlier this month.

The Reds opened the scoring via a wonderful counter attack that was finished off by Mohamed Salah, though Pickford’s role in the goal was more than questionable.

The English shot-stopper was left in no man’s land as Darwin Nunez assisted Salah, with his mistake drawing plenty of criticism.

During commentary of the game, Gary Neville said: “It’s not interesting, it’s just bad.

“I have no idea what he is doing. It’s almost as if he thinks the ball isn’t going to end up at Salah’s feet, it’s going to the back post, and he makes a real mess of it.

“It’s an open goal and he makes it really easy for Mo Salah.”

Despite this, Pickford signing a new deal will be a massive boost to new manager Sean Dyche.

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