Everton have reportedly won the race to sign Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford, a player Arsenal wanted as a long-term replacement for Petr Cech.

  • Everton willing to pay £30m to have Pickford as first-choice next season
  • Arsenal had long-standing interest in the Sunderland keeper
  • Pickford keen to leave after Sunderland suffered relegated

According to Sky Sports, Everton have agreed a deal with Sunderland for the 23-year-old shot-stopper, with manager Ronald Koeman looking to replace Joel Robles as the Toffees’ first-choice goalkeeper.

Arsenal were believed to be very keen, as David Ospina was set to join Fenerbahce and Wojciech Szczesny potentially moving to Juventus, but they would only be able to offer Pickford a second-choice role behind Petr Cech.

The Sunderland shot-stopper was one of the standout performers in a side that finished rock-bottom in the Premier League, and Pickford’s all but certain to leave the Stadium of Light as a result this summer.

Sunderland were keen to be compensated for his services, however, as Pickford is now England’s most promising talent. He was his side’s standout performer and has a host of clubs keeping tabs on his progress.