WHICH TOP TEAM WILL PRISE AWAY PRIZED ASSET PICKFORD?
SUNDERLAND GOALKEEPER PICKFORD HAS LOTS OF ADMIRERS AFTER A STUNNING SEASON, BUT WITH CRAZY MONEY
When David Moyes intimated that Sunderland would be looking for a fee around the £30 million mark for Jordan Pickford, many raised eyebrows.
For a goalkeeper with no international caps, just one full season at Premier League level, in a side limping to relegation, it seemed an exorbitant fee.
Many pointed out, too, that such a fee would likely break the world record, Gianluigi Buffon’s switch from Parma in 2001 costing Juventus €53 million.
Already, however, the transfer window is seeing eye-watering sums being spent and it is likely that the record for a goalkeeper will be broken at least once.
Pickford’s future is linked with a number of other stoppers across the continent, and the Black Cats are right to demand a high price.
We take a closer look at some of the key players to see how things may develop.
Could it be that Pickford stays after all?
City may have kept close tabs on Pickford but in the end have opted to splash £35 million on Benfica stopper Ederson Moraes.
Ederson is the same age as Pickford and similarly only has one real season of top tier experience behind him.
That in all likelihood will end their immediate interest in Pickford, even though Willy Caballero has left the club with Claudio Bravo and Joe Hart likely to follow.
Pickford’s proficiency with ball at feet, however, means he is never likely to be off their radar.
Sunderland will also no doubt point to the Ederson fee to strengthen their claims for £30 million.
There have been conflicting reports regarding an £8 million bid from the Toffees but they are certainly interested in his signature.
Neither Joel Robles nor Maarten Stekelenburg convinced when given the jersey last season and so the potential to be Number One at a top half club would surely appeal to Pickford.
Clubs higher up the chain could also be happy to see him progress at Goodison Park before revisiting in a few seasons time.
Whether Everton will meet the asking price is another matter, already said to be switching their attentions to Gent goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic. Liverpool have been linked with a battery of goalkeepers throughout the season, including Pickford and his goalkeeping idol Joe Hart.
Jurgen Klopp, however, has insisted that he will not seek to replace either Loris Karius or former Black Cat Simon Mignolet.
Mignolet in particular finished the season in excellent form.
David Ospina is thought to be keen on a move away from the Emirates but even if he does depart, Petr Cech and Wojciech Szczesny, soon to return from a loan at Roma, means that Wenger is unlikely to move for a keeper.