Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur are stepping up their efforts in the pursuit of Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, Tottenham Hotspur are prepared to make Jordan Pickford a transfer priority as the club looks to hand Antonio Conte a new goalkeeper. They have been following the progress of the Everton shot-stopper for quite some time now, and it appears a move to North London could soon be on the horizon for the England number one.
The report fails to mention whether Tottenham are interested in a January deal for Pickford. But the Lilwyhites would ideally target the goalkeeper next summer when Hugo Lloris’ contract comes to an end.
After making almost 400 competitive appearances for the club, the Frenchman is expected to move on in the summer. He has been linked with a potential return to his homeland France, with Stade Rennais among the clubs interested in his services. He is also courted by his youth club OGC Nice, so there is certainly no shortage of options for the veteran.
As for Tottenham, Lloris’ potential departure could leave them short-handed in the goalkeeping unit. The club did bring in Pierluigi Gollini on a two-year loan deal in the summer. But the Italian hasn’t made much of an impression so far, which has compelled Conte to find another alternative in the market. And that is where Pickford comes into the fray.
A product of the Sunderland youth academy, the 27-year-old has been a consistent performer in the Premier League over the past few years. Since joining Everton in 2017, he has notched up 179 competitive appearances, becoming the first-choice goalkeeper for England in the process. He was even one of the top performers in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, helping the Three Lions reach the semi-final stage.
Pickford’s pedigree at the highest level of football has made him an appealing target for Tottenham Hotspur. He can be a viable long-term replacement for Lloris, becoming an ideal solution to one of the club’s recent issues. However, with Everton keen on preventing their star player from joining a direct rival, the Englishman is set to cost a fortune, with earlier reports suggesting a value of around £30 million.
It may even force Tottenham to explore other alternatives in the market. In addition to Pickford, they have been linked with a move for Sam Johnstone, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season.
