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Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford down the pecking order for Tottenham transfer - journalist
Tottenham summer transfer target Jordan Pickford has “dropped down their pecking order” after the goalkeeper signed a new contract at Everton, and his expected fee has therefore risen, according to Michael Bridge.
The England number one has endured a mixed season at Goodison Park but pledged his colours to the club when signing a new long-term contract that keeps him on Merseyside until June 2027 and reportedly doesn’t have a relegation clause within it. [Paul Joyce, 23 February]
Tottenham are known to be admirers of Pickford, but they will be expected to cough up a fee of £50million to sign the goalkeeper. [Graeme Bailey, 8 March]
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Sky Sports News reporter Bridge admitted the 29-year-old’s new contract has no longer made him the primary goalkeeping target at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
He said: “I think Pickford might have just dropped down their pecking order of targets because of that new contract.
“But maybe that is also to protect Everton as well. I think Spurs might look at it if Everton get relegated.
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“But maybe now if they stayed up, Dyche will keep his job, I’m sure. Pickford would cost quite a lot of money, meaning Spurs might look elsewhere.”
Relegation dependent
Pickford is central to all future plans at Goodison Park and it is imperative they keep him at the club beyond the end of this season.
Getting the goalkeeper to sign a new contract was a brilliant piece of transfer business – something not often said at Everton – and Sean Dyche must take credit for pointing out the project to Pickford and getting him on board.
The club’s Premier League status beyond this season is likely to be the decisive factor in a potential transfer this summer, and Spurs will be hoping that the Toffees get relegated so they can sign Pickford for a snippet of his market value.
Before then, though, the England international will have to be at his shot-stopping best to aid Everton’s relegation battle. The former Sunderland man proved he is always up for the fight when pulling off man-of-the-match displays on a weekly basis this time last year, and Dyche will be hoping he can pull off similar heroics this time around.