Everton must do everything to keep Douglas Lukjanciks after Finch Farm update emerges
Everton have been extremely lucky in the goalkeeping department in recent years, with Jordan Pickford being a consistent mainstay in between the sticks at Goodison Park.
The 30-year-old became an Evertonian in 2017 after signing from Sunderland, and despite much criticism from the media and pundits, Pickford has always remained the number-one ‘keeper.
Though the Toffees will be hoping to get many more years out of the 59-time England international, youth players are an extremely important part of any club, Everton being no different.
Everton need Douglas Lukjanciks to be the future at Goodison Park
Douglas Lukjanciks, a 16-year-old shot-stopper, is set to join Everton’s academy as a scholar at Finch Farm in July once he finishes school.
Having been “earmarked” for first-team football, as per the Daily Mail, the Toffees must do everything in their power to keep the youngster. However, this has been made slightly harder after a recent update.
The newspaper reported via its website [25 March] that Everton are set to face a transfer battle for Lukjanciks, with Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Southampton, Bayer Leverkusen and Marseille all said to be keeping tabs on the goalkeeper.
With so much uncertainty over Everton’s future, especially concerning the potential takeover by 777 Partners, this is one aspect that the club can have a say in.
Why so much Premier League interest for a 16-year-old?
At just 16 years of age, Lukjanciks has already made four U18 Premier League appearances, three of which have come this season, facing Stoke City, Middlesbrough and Wolves.
He has also won two England U17s caps, playing 141 minutes against Morocco and Norway in international friendlies. [TransferMarkt]
Comparing this to Pickford’s track record at different England levels, Everton must be doing everything to persuade the youngster that Finch Farm is the correct destination for him this summer.
In other Everton news, Pickford has gushed over a ‘Rolls-Royce’ Goodison Park teammate after a recent development.
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