Everton transfer news: Sky Sports pundit delivers ‘massive risk’ verdict on Jordan Pickford and co. ahead of Bournemouth clash
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Everton won’t necessarily be able to keep hold of any player if they are relegated because it would be a “massive risk” to take such a wage bill down into the Championship, particularly Jordan Pickford.
Despite the England keeper signing a new deal at Goodison Park earlier this season, without a release clause, it is believed that he would likely be available should disaster strike against Bournemouth on the final day (28 May), with an informal agreement to let him go.
Former Toffees captain Campbell is realistic about the situation if relegation can’t be avoided, because financially it would put the club under such a strain to maintain a Premier League wage bill in the second tier, and believes the former Sunderland man would likely not be the only one who could move on.
The Sky Sports pundit exclusively told Goodison News on the chances of being able to keep anyone if they go down: “Not necessarily, you can’t guarantee anything.
“If the worst were to happen it’s a brave club to say, ‘We’re going to keep all our talent for the Championship’.
“Because there’s going to be players at the club who will be coveted by other clubs in the Premier League, that’s for sure.
“And it would be a huge wage bill, so you’re taking such a massive risk.
“So it’s going to be interesting to see what happens.”
The easy way to answer the question about the future of key men would be to get three points against the Cherries and keep the door slammed shut on Leeds and Leicester.
But if results go the wrong way the likes of Tottenham have been linked to Pickford for some time, and he could bring in a hefty fee should he be picked off.
Top flight rivals have been circling when it comes to the prize assets at Goodison Park and will surely jump in quickly if Everton go down, but even if Sean Dyche keeps his side up there remains the possibility that the resolve could be tested with sizeable offers.