Transfer Rumour: Manchester United eyeing Jordan Pickford as David de Gea replacement

Manchester United are reportedly set to target a £60 million deal for Everton superstar Jordan Pickford to replace contract rebel David de Gea.

According to a report by The Sun, Manchester United have identified Jordan Pickford as the ideal candidate to replace David de Gea, who is at odds with the club over a new deal. The Red Devils will have to pay around £60 million to swoop the Englishman away from Everton.

2018 has been a year of uncertainties for Manchester United, particularly on the transfers front. This past summer, Jose Mourinho was left exasperated after the club failed to sign most of his preferred targets. And, heading into the January transfer window, the futures of several superstars are uncertain.

Chief among these key players is David de Gea, who has been the most pivotal player for Manchester United for the better part of the last half-a-decade. With his current deal set to run out in the summer of 2020 at the latest, the Red Devils are scrambling to get him to sign the dotted line over a new contract.

Manchester United are even prepared to make him one of their highest paid players. But, de Gea is not committing his long-term future to 20-time English champions, which has seen the club scour the transfer market for possible replacement options.

Brighton and Hove Albion custodian Mat Ryan has emerged as a possible candidate. But, Manchester United seem to have turned their attention towards Everton superstar Jordan Pickford, who has been a hot property in the transfer target since this past summer.

Pickford had already generated a lot of buzz around his talent since enjoying his breakout campaign with Sunderland in the 2016-17 season. But, a spectacular effort at the 2018 FIFA World Cup with England has seen his stock skyrocket, with Everton battling hard to keep hold of their star goalkeeper.

Chelsea had been one of the clubs pursuing a deal for Pickford in the summer transfer window, before the 24-year-old put pen to paper on a new deal with Everton. With nearly six years left on his new deal with the Toffees, the English superstar is unlikely to come cheap, and the report suggests that he has been slapped with a £60 million price tag.

While the valuation is quite steep, and could potentially break the transfer record for a goalkeeper, Manchester United rarely shy away from paying exorbitant sums to sign their targets, especially those who could long-term solutions at Old Trafford.

A deal for Pickford could thus, be in the offing. In the end though, it all depends on de Gea’s commitment towards Manchester United. If the incumbent no. 1 does not sign a new deal, we could see Pickford make his way to Old Trafford in a £60 million deal, provided the Red Devils manage to persuade him to leave Everton.