Everton and Newcastle fans left stunned by Sunderland’s asking price for Jordan Pickford

Everton and Newcastle will be facing each other in the Premier League next season following the latter’s promotion from the Championship.

Rafa Benitez’s men secured an immediate return to the top-flight after winning 29 of their 46 league matches, finishing nine points clear of third place Reading, and a point clear of Chris Hughton’s Brighton at the summit to seal the title.

While Ronald Koeman’s Everton improved upon their disappointing 11th place finish under Roberto Martinez last time out by climbing up to seventh in the division, just nine points behind sixth place Manchester United.

And both clubs have been looking to improve their squads ahead of next term’s top-flight challenge, and one man they have both been linked with in recent times is Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

However, recent reports suggest that the Toffees will not meet the Black Cats’ £30 million asking price for the 23-year-old, who earned rave reviews despite being part of a side that won just six times in the Premier League, and finished 16 points adrift of safety.

And news of the Black Cats’ valuation stimulated quite the response from Toffees and Magpies fans on Twitter, with many left stunned and slightly baffled by the figure Sunderland want for the England Under-21 star…

£30m is actually a joke, if they get half of that they’ve made a steal

— Michael Purves (@GrangeFCno8) June 1, 2017

15 to 20 max for a unproven keeper

— Seoirse stanton (@seoirse_stanton) June 1, 2017

£30 million is ridiculous 15/20 is realistic and I bet that’s what he goes for

— Toon army (@nufctoon_army) June 1, 2017

30 mil for pickford? Makes sissoko look like a bargain for spurs

— Sam West (@westy_tiger) June 1, 2017

He’s not even worth £8m

— Gary Carmichael (@gamoefc) June 1, 2017

30 mil

— brad lister (@lister2k11) June 1, 2017

Surely 12m-15m more realistic. He’s only player 1 season

— Graeme McVeigh (@GraemeMcV) June 1, 2017