Everton verbally agree to sell Jordan Pickford as Premier League development emerges
Jordan Pickford has reached a “verbal agreement” with Everton whereby he will be allowed to leave if the club get relegated this season, according to Ben Jacobs.
The goalkeeper signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract with the Toffees in February, committing his future to Everton until June 2027, as reported by the club’s official website.
But that deal reportedly involves an agreement that will see him leave if Everton drop down to the Championship amid interest from Premier League rivals Chelsea.
“If Chelsea’s new manager and recruitment team do want a new No.1, though, Raya is high up on their list, alongside Brighton’s Rob Sanchez,” Jacobs wrote for Caught Offside.
“Everton’s Jordan Pickford is also one to watch. He did just sign a new deal, and there is no relegation release clause, but there is a verbal agreement he’ll be allowed to leave if Everton go down.”
Nervous times for the Toffees
Everton are enduring worrying times both on and off the pitch, with the threat of relegation the major issue when it comes to the former.
Not only will the Toffees lose out on huge financial rewards should they be removed from the Premier League, but they would also love several of their top players, as is the case when clubs are relegated every season.
And Pickford will undoubtedly be top of the pile when it comes to exits in the summer if Everton fail to secure their safety, with the goalkeeper continuing to impress individually.
There is, of course, a potential reunion on the cards if indeed Frank Lampard manages to enjoy success at Stamford Bridge this time around and is handed the job on a permanent basis, with the manager having worked with Pickford during his reign at Goodison.
The one saving grace for the Toffees will involve the fee they can get for Pickford, with Chelsea definitely capable of spending big money to bring the goalkeeper to Stamford Bridge.