Everton agree £30 million fee with Sunderland for Jordan Pickford

Update - Sky Sports now reporting that Everton have agreed a deal worth £30 million with Sunderland for Pickford

Everton are close to agreeing a £30 million deal with Sunderland for goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, according to the Telegraph. The Blues were thought to have made a bid for the England U21 international last month but the Black Cats swiftly rejected it.

However, talks between the two clubs have progressed steadily within the last 24 hours and sources inside the North East club believe an agreement is close to being reached between the two parties.

Sunderland have set a strict price on their man, who was a star performer despite their relegation from the Premier League last season. It is felt that the move could end up costing Everton as much as £30 million, although that is a result of various add-ons and clauses rather than an initial lump sum.

Pickford is currently on international duty with the England U21’s and is expected to undergo a medical once he returns from that sometime this month. His arrival will be a big boost to manager Ronald Koeman, who is determined to make wholesale improvements to his squad this summer.

The goalkeeper department particularly needed addressing, with both Maarten Stekelenburg and Joel Robles failing to prove themselves as number one last season. Pickford is a vast improvement on both and could prove to be a smart capture, regardless of the price, should he realise his potential.