Jordan Pickford recently signed a new contract at Premier League strugglers Everton but former England international Darren Bent believes the goalkeeper still ‘needs to leave’ with Tottenham Hotspur a potential destination, speaking to talkSPORT (7 March, 4.30pm).
Euro 2024, believe it or not, is just over a year away. If Everton are relegated from the top-flight this season, Pickford’s new deal condemning him to a season in the Championship, would the former Sunderland stopper pay with his place in Gareth Southgate’s starting XI?
Bent thinks so; Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope now providing genuine, elite-level competition for a man who’s best form has often come on the international stage.
“Everton have been flirting with relegation for a little while. He is England’s number one! With the emergence of Aaron Ramsdale at Arsenal and Nick Pope at Newcastle, he is under pressure,” says the former Spurs striker.
“He needs a move now. I know he has just signed a new contract, but I think he needs to leave.
“100 per cent (Pickford should go if Everton are relegated). If you are a player with any kind of ambition, you don’t want to be playing in the Championship. You want to be playing in the Premier League.”
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There is likely to be a space open between the sticks at Tottenham Hotspur for a new shot-stopper, with both Hugo Lloris and Fraser Forster in their mid-30s these days. And Bent feels that £40 million may be enough to twist Everton’s arm, even if that new, long-term deal serves to strengthen the Toffees’ bargaining position.
“I think he can play for Spurs,” Bent adds. “You look at the form of Hugo Lloris. If (Pickford) is to move forward as England’s number one, he would need a move I think
“(He could be worth) an extra 15 million (due to the new deal). £35 to £40 million.”
Tottenham have already been linked with Brentford’s David Raya. The Spaniard, arguably the Premier League’s best ball-playing ‘keeper, is – in stark contrast to Pickford – refusing to sign a new deal in West London.
Keep an eye on Napoli’s Alex Meret and Aston Villa’s World Cup winner Emi Martinez too.
In other news, Tottenham transfer news: Spurs target £20.5m Roma star Mourinho loves
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