Everton Closing In On £30 Million Summer Signing

Everton are nearing their first deal of the summer window, and it's a big one.

The Toffees have been heavily linked with Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who was the shining light in a dire 2016/17 campaign that saw the Black Cats finished bottom of the league and deservedly suffer relegation to the second tier of English tier.

Pickford's goalkeeping heroics for lowly Sunderland led to him being called up to the England senior squad in October, while his performances in between the sticks caught the eyes of a number of Premier League sides, with Manchester City and Arsenal both monitoring his situation.

Image: PA

Last month, the Northern Echo reported that Everton were confident of completing a £17 million deal for Pickford.

And now John Percy from The Telegraph is reporting that a deal is close to being sealed, though the fee will be £30 million with add-ons and clauses likely to factor in.

The report says although the first bid from Everton for Sunderland's prize asset was unsuccessful last month, talks between the two clubs have been positive in the last day or so and now Everton are in a position where they believe they can secure the services of the highly-rated 23-year old goalkeeper this month.

Image: PA

Pickford is currently with the England Under 21 squad in Poland for the European Championships as the team's No.1 goalkeeper, and it's thought that he could be slated in for a medical once his international commitments are finished.

Ronald Koeman is looking to add to his squad for next season after finishing in seventh place last term and qualifying for the Europa League.

Malaga forward Sandro Ramirez, who scored 14 goals for Malaga in La Liga last season, has been earmarked as a top target, and the Liverpool Echo reported that the former Barcelona man was spotted in a hotel in Liverpool on Sunday, where he was said to be holding talks with Everton director of football Steve Walsh.

There also appears to be progress made in Everton's pursuit of Ajax skipper Davy Klaassen. Dutch outlet De Telegraaf say that they are close to signing the 24-year old, who netted 20 goals in all competitions last season, for a £26.5 million fee.

Burnley defender Michael Keane and Swansea City's Gylfi Sigurdsson are also believed to be high on Koeman's wishlist as he looks to strengthen his squad significantly.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Sunderland, Jordan Pickford, Everton

Josh Lawless

Josh is a writer who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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