Jordan Pickford may leave Everton for a bigger club in January if an offer arrived, claims Tam McManus.
Pickford was once again impressive in the World Cup for England as he played all five of their games and only conceded four times.
Gareth Southgate’s key man continued his Everton form which has seen him so far concede only 17 goals in 14 Premier League appearances this campaign despite the Toffee’s sat 17th in the table.
Since joining from Sunderland in 2017 for an initial £25m, the 28-year-old has racked up 213 appearances for the Merseyside outfit with him becoming a vital and irreplaceable player since his arrival.
However, the stopper only has 18 months left on his £110k-per-week deal and with Everton’s continued struggles in the league and his form in Qatar, McManus told Football Insider the 28-year-old may look to leave.
“Pickford has proven with England that he is a brilliant goalkeeper,
“He is having a very good World Cup. He won’t want to go back to Everton and be in a relegation battle. There have to be clubs looking at that situation.
“If they get relegated then they will lose him for next to nothing so maybe now is the time to sell if an offer comes in.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if a bid came in and I think Pickford would take that opportunity if the club is right near the top of the table,” McManus said.
TIF Thoughts on McManus’ comments…
It will be an ever-growing problem for Frank Lampard the longer Pickford’s contract goes on without an extension especially given there have been some links surrounding possible interest from Tottenham Hotspur over the last year.
With the keeper set to be 30 years old when his contract finishes, it may prove the last chance to join a side a level above where Everton currently and seemingly will be in 2024.
The Washington-born stopper was previously linked with a move to Manchester United back in October and as not only England’s number one but as a glowing example of how the modern goalkeeper is expected to play with his distribution and sweeping qualities, he may soon find himself on top club’s shopping list as his price tag drops ever lower.