Everton will not meet Sunderland’s £30m asking price for Jordan Pickford

Premier League outfit Everton may have to end their interest in Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford as they are refusing to meet his £30 million asking price, according to The Liverpool Echo.

The 23-year-old was a rare bright spark in an otherwise miserable Premier League campaign for the Black Cats, one which saw their ten-year stay in the top-flight come to an end after winning just six of their 38 games, and finishing bottom of the division.

However, despite conceding 69 goals in the league, shot-stopper Pickford earned many rave reviews for his efforts between the sticks for David Moyes’ side, with it arguable that, were it not for Pickford and striker Jermain Defoe, the North East giants would have been relegated much sooner than April 23.

Nonetheless, their relegation from the Premier League has inevitably increased speculation about Pickford’s future, yet it doesn’t appear that he’ll be ending up at Ronald Koeman’s Everton unless Sunderland re-consider their valuation.

And that’s because the Toffees are reportedly not ready to meet their £30 million asking price, with The Liverpool Echo understanding that they would only go to half that.

Everton chief Koeman has been linked with a move for the England Under-21 star given the struggles his current options Joel Robles and Maarten Stekenlenburg had during the campaign, so much so that it’s not clear who is the Toffees number one.

However, although reports suggest that the Merseyside outfit haven’t completely withdrawn their interest, their hefty asking price could put a halt to Koeman’s advances, and potentially turn his attentions to other transfer targets.