Mizgan Masani
Manchester United preparing a bid to sign Everton keeper Jordan Pickford
As per Daily Star, Manchester United are readying a £45m bid to sign England and Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford during the summer window.
Pickford is on the list of potential candidates earmarked by United boss Erik ten Hag as the stalemate in contract talks continues with David de Gea.
A few days ago, the Guardian reported that ten Hag is looking to replace the Spaniard after an underwhelming season under him.
United are interested in Inter Milan’s Andre Onana and Porto’s Diogo Costa. But, it seems like a bid to get Pickford will be made soon. At 29, Pickford is still in his prime years.
Despite avoiding relegation, largely due to the brilliance in goal by the latter, Everton have financial issues that will force them to raise money through player sales in the summer window. Pickford could be one of the players sold to balance the books.
However, we all know that ten Hag’s system relies on his goalkeeper being comfortable on the ball and ready to perform the role of a sweeper behind a higher line of defence.
While Pickford is an excellent shot-stopper, we haven’t seen him play out from the back at Everton. It is probably due to the fact that the managers there have chiefly opted for their keepers to boot it up the field and play the game by winning second balls.
So, unless ten Hag has the confidence that he will make Pickford do what he wants, it might be a risky ploy to try to sign the England international.
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The likes of Onana and Costa, on the other hand, have shown at their current clubs that they are comfortable on the ball and do well in shot-stopping as well. It remains to be seen what happens in the coming days and whether the boss is okay with getting Pickford itself.
