Manchester United prepare bid for Everton star

Manchester United look set to undergo a huge rebuild this summer as they look to build on their third-placed finish in the Premier League. 

Manager Erik ten Hag guided the Red Devils to a Champions League qualification spot in his first season in charge of the club, as well as overseeing a Carabao Cup triumph and reaching the final of the FA Cup.

The 53-year-old will now be busy working to fine tune his squad ahead of next term, and plenty of incomings and outgoings are expected at Old Trafford in the coming weeks.

Ten Hag has reportedly identified the goalkeeper position as one area of the pitch that he would like to bolster his options in.

Despite winning the golden glove award last season, first-team goalkeeper David de Gea has made a number of costly errors in recent seasons and currently has just two weeks remaining on his contract.

With that in mind, United have drawn up a list of potential replacements for the Spain international, and it appears that they are now preparing an offer for one of those targets.

According to the Daily Star, Manchester United are preparing a £45m bid for Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

The report claims that United have identified the England international as the perfect candidate to either provide competition for De Gea or replace him if he were to leave the club.

Pickford sits at the top of Manchester United’s list of goalkeeping targets

It is claimed that De Gea is refusing to sign a two-year contract extension at present, with United’s offer forcing the player to take a significant pay cut.

The new deal would reportedly see the Spaniard’s wages drop from £375,000-per-week to £200,000-per-week.

Pickford, 29, has been a standout player for Everton since signing for the Toffees from Sunderland six years ago.

In total, he has made 237 appearances for his current side across all competitions, keeping 62 clean sheets.

Despite playing in a struggling Everton side, the Englishman has managed to cement his place as the national side’s starting goalkeeper, ahead of the likes of Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale.

The player is contacted to Goodison Park until 2027 after signing a new contract earlier this year, hence why he could cost in excess of £45m.