Everton transfer news: Manchester United push for Jordan Pickford amid David de Gea contract agreement update
Manchester United still want to sign Jordan Pickford from Everton even if David de Gea agrees a new deal at Old Trafford, Tutto Mercato Web reports.
There is an option in the Spanish keeper’s deal, which currently expires this summer, to extend it for another year but United don’t want to keep him on the massive £375,000-a-week wages he currently earns [The Athletic].
Talks are ongoing over an extension but as yet there is no final agreement with the 32-year-old, and they are targeting Toffees star Pickford, 30, now either way, although Fabrizio Romano says a “verbal agreement” is close.
The Everton and England number one is reportedly their top target and could go for as little as €30million [£25.6million], and they want him even if De Gea stays at Old Trafford for a 13th season.
The report from TMW ties in with the Tuesday (13 June) update from Romano, who reported via Twitter that a new deal is on the cards, saying: “Saudi clubs are aware of the verbal agreement at final stages between David de Gea and Manchester United over new deal, but they’re still insisting to tempt the goalkeeper.
“Man Utd remain on the market for new goalkeeper in any case.”
Ambitious
While there have to be major doubts over Pickford leaving Everton from a club point of view, he is certainly not going anywhere to sit on the bench.
It is also hard to imagine that De Gea is going to take a back seat after 545 Manchester United appearances so expecting the two number ones to coexist at Old Trafford is bold.
Pickford’s key role, both on the pitch and in within the squad at Everton, makes it unthinkable to let him go for anything less than a vast offer – with his new contract signed last season protecting the Toffees, for once, from losing him on the cheap.
When Sean Dyche needs to strengthen this side after two-straight relegation battles he is going to need cash from somewhere to do it.
But placing a huge question mark at one of the most important positions in the side seems an incredibly risky way to go about it.
Unless the former Burnley boss has specific doubts over Pickford’s style it would be a surprise if he was willing to let the 29-year-old go.