Everton want to sign Tom Heaton from Manchester United, contact made after Luton Town blocked – John Cross
Everton want to sign an “experienced, top quality” goalkeeper this summer and have made an enquiry over Tom Heaton, John Cross reports in The Mirror.
The Toffees and Manchester United have been linked throughout the summer amid various machinations at the position at both clubs.
Number one Jordan Pickford has been a target for an Old Trafford move to replace David de Gea, who confirmed his departure on Saturday (8 July), but Erik ten Hag is now closing in on his former Ajax charge Andre Onana from Inter.
Now, with Asmir Begovic having rejected a new Goodison Park contract and left the club Sean Dyche is after his ex-Burnley man Heaton to fill the gap.
Luton Town have already been blocked by Ten Hag for the 37-year-old but now Dyche wants the man who was a “huge part of his success story” at Burnley and who is regarded as a “top pro” at United.
Cross writes in his Monday evening Mirror report (10 July): “Luton were planning to sign Heaton with the promise of regular first team football which they hoped would lure the experienced keeper to Kenilworth Road. But they face competition from Everton, who want an experienced, top quality keeper.”
Tables turned
The fear for most of the summer has been that Everton might lose their England number one to Manchester United amid their attempts to replace De Gea.
Although Ten Hag reportedly still wants another keeper it appears the Toffees are now safe from that and have instead looked to reverse the situation.
Heaton hasn’t been a regular since he played 39 Premier League games for Burnley and Aston Villa across the 2019/20 season but has extensive top flight experience.
At his age he is arguably the ideal back-up keeper, aside from a highly-rated youngster, which is very much why he moved to Old Trafford in the first place.
With Begovic’s departure not part of the plan at Goodison Park there is a clear need for someone to come in, even if Pickford is now secure.
And the links to Dyche make the three-cap former England international Heaton an obvious option, so all eyes will now be on whether Ten Hag is prepared to let him leave for Merseyside since he wasn’t when Luton came calling.
In other Everton news, the first signing of the Dyche reign is expected to arrive in the next 48 hours after an update from Alan Myers.