Jordan Pickford in-demand this summer

Highly rated Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is in-demand this summer

Sunderland have endured a horrendous Premier League campaign. The Black Cats are already relegated to the Championship after years of fighting against the drop.

However, there has been a few shining lights in that Black Cats squad. One of those has been young goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

It seems that while his present club will be enduring life in the Championship next season, Pickford will probably not be.

A host of Premier League clubs are being linked with a move for the highly-rated star, including Arsenal, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City.

Pickford is a very promising goalkeeper

Jordan Pickford is now regarded as one of the most promising English goalkeepers in the Premier League. At 23-years of age, he is still very young for a goalkeeper. However, he has had plenty of chances to show his quality for the Black Cats this season, as the north side’s defence has been awful.

Pickford only became the Sunderland number one early in the current campaign but has impressed immensely. He has impressed so much that a number of the league’s top teams are now looking at recruiting Pickford for next season.

If it were not for Pickford producing so many saves this season Sunderland’s relegation would have been confirmed far sooner than it was. I think only the young goalkeeper and Jermain Defoe can hold their heads high after their miserable season.

Needs to be careful about his next move

I really do believe that Sunderland boss David Moyes is fighting a losing battle to keep Pickford at the club this summer. However, the goalkeeper’s next move could be crucial for his development.

In the unlikely event of him staying at Sunderland, Pickford will be first choice goalkeeper, something he will not necessary be if he moves to a big Premier League club. Moyes himself has stated that moving to a big club and sitting on the bench will not be good for Pickford.

The Scot is right. However, he may well be number one at one of those aforementioned clubs. There is uncertainty about the goalkeeping position at Manchester City and Liverpool at the moment.

Everton may well prove to be his ideal choice. Both Toffees ‘keepers Joel Robles and Maarten Stekelenburg have struggled to convince this season. Everton boss Ronald Koeman is expected to sign a new number one this summer.

Pickford could well be the answer to the Merseysiders problems. Granted he is still young and developing and still makes mistakes. However, he has immense potential and can improve while playing for Everton.

Stekelenburg is in the twilight of his career. Robles has produced some decent displays this season. However, there still seems to be question marks about him being the clubs number one in the long-term.

The Toffees are ambitious. No doubt will be looking at Pickford as a very viable transfer target. He fits the mould of a promising young player.

Koeman is attempting to build a young team and bringing down the age of his current squad. Everton are currently odds of 6/1 favourites to sign Pickford this summer and the move would make sense.

Resigned to losing Pickford

From what Sunderland boss Moyes has been saying it seems the club are almost resigned to losing Pickford. It seems now that all they can do is hope there is a bidding war that pushes up the youngster’s price.

Different prices have been mooted from £17million to £30million. The young goalkeeper is unlikely to be a cheap signing this summer. However, with so much potential the 23-year-old could be a very good long-term investment for whichever club decides to splash the cash this summer.

Where will Jordan Pickford be plying his trade next season?