Everton set dangerous precedent with Jordan Pickford turmoil on the cards due to informal agreement
Everton have set a dangerous precedent by verbally agreeing with Jordan Pickford they’ll sell him in the summer if they are relegated to the Championship.
CBS journalist Ben Jacobs reported on Fabrizio Romano’s Substack this week (25 April) that while Pickford, 29, has agreed a new contract at Goodison Park, there’s a gentleman’s agreement that he’ll be allowed to leave Merseyside in the summer if the Blues drop out of the Premier League.
There’s no relegation release clause in Pickford’s contract so there’s nothing legally binding to say that the England number one will be allowed to leave if an offer comes in.
But this could be problematic at Finch Farm.
That’s because if there’s no fee that’s been set, a club such as Tottenham – who are reportedly frontrunners to sign Pickford – could come in with a lowball bid for the ex-Sunderland shot-stopper.
Let’s say Spurs offer £10million, which wouldn’t be a shock knowing Daniel Levy. If Everton turn that down, what would Pickford think?
There’s no doubt that the goalkeeper would be frustrated that a loose, informal agreement hasn’t been stuck to by Kevin Thewell or Bill Kenwright – whoever agreed it – because it’s not black and white.
Sure, there may have been some kind of fee mentioned to Pickford but if an offer comes in that’s just below, he may well start to agitate for a move and that could lead to yet more behind-the-scenes turmoil at Everton like what we had in January with Anthony Gordon and Newcastle.
Relegation from the Premier League is very much possible, unfortunately.
As it stands, we’re 19th in the standings and two points from safety.
Everton do have a game in hand on the three teams directly above them and that will be played on Thursday night (27 April) against high-flying Newcastle United in front of a packed Goodison Park.
The Toffees then have a huge six-pointer away at Leicester on Monday (1 May) before another away day at Brighton on 8 May.
Everton then finish the season with a mix bag of fixtures against Manchester City at Goodison Park, Wolves at Molineux and Bournemouth at home.
There are teams who have tougher fixtures than us but still, there are some tough games in there and nothing is guaranteed.
Everton’s informal agreement with Pickford is a dangerous one but hopefully any fear of behind-the-scenes upset would be put to bed if Sean Dyche’s side simply avoids the drop.