Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford as a replacement for Aaron Ramsdale.
The 30-year-old has been the first-choice goalkeeper for the Toffees since securing a high-profile switch from boyhood club Sunderland in the summer of 2017.
Pickford has certainly paid back his £30m transfer fee, featuring in 277 matches for Everton across all competitions, helping keep the club in the Premier League during a difficult period financially.
The shot-stopper has excelled in the top flight this term under Sean Dyche, managing 12 clean sheets in 36 Premier League contests for the Merseyside outfit.
Pickford is also the man in between the sticks for the England national team, representing a cornerstone of the country’s success under the leadership of Gareth Southgate in recent years.
According to TEAMtalk, a new Premier League club have joined the race for the services of Everton’s Pickford ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
The report claims that title challengers Arsenal are considering a summer swoop for the England international, who has already caught the attention of the Gunners’ London rivals.
It is understood that Chelsea are interested in securing the services of Pickford this summer, with a view for the goalkeeper to replace Djordje Petrovic as first choice at Stamford Bridge.
Mauricio Pochettino‘s men are also monitoring the availability of Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale, who has lost his place in between the sticks this term to David Raya.
Everton are expected to lose Pickford over the course of the summer, with the Toffees looking to balance the books as they fight to stay in line with Profit and Sustainability rules.
When Raya joined on a loan deal from Brentford last summer, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insisted that both the Spaniard and Ramsdale would fight for a place in the XI.
If that was the case, Raya won that battle with ease, with England’s Ramsdale featuring just twice for the title-chasing Gunners during 2024 so far.
The North London club have an option to buy Raya at the end of this loan, with Arsenal set to pay £27m for his permanent services should they wish to.
Pickford’s arrival at the Emirates would surely throw Raya’s future at the club into doubt, and it remains to be seen what direction Arteta will take his side in the goalkeeping department.
