Everton have agreed a £30m deal with Sunderland for keeper and West Ham target Jordan Pickford.
The fee will see the highly rated youngster become the third most expensive goalkeeper in history, behind only Gianluigi Buffon who signed for Juventus in 2001 for £33 million, and Manchester City new boy Ederson, who joined Pep Guardiola’s side for a world record £34.7 million earlier this year.
West Ham had previously chased Pickford as they look to strengthen between the sticks after an hit-and-miss season for both current keepers Adrian and Darren Randolph, however it appears that race is now over with the Englishman set to move to Merseyside.
Pickford joined the Sunderland’s academy in 2010 and had spells out on loan at Darlington, Alfreton Town, Burton Albion, Carlisle United, Bradford City and Preston, but caught the eye of the Premier League managers last season with his impressive performances for the Black Cats as they were relegated from the top flight.
The move however may make way for The Hammers to further their pursuit of want away Manchester City keeper Joe Hart, who was widely expected to join Everton after spending the season on loan in Serie A with Torino.
