Everton are braced for a bid for Jordan Pickford from Manchester United, according to a new report.
The Daily Star state that United are preparing to make a £45m offer for the Everton and England No.1. The Red Devils could be looking for a new goalkeeper given the uncertainty over David de Gea's future.
De Gea is two weeks away from becoming a free agent. The report claims the 32-year-old has so far refused the offer of a new two-year contract that would see his wages slashed from £375,000 to £200,000 per week.
The report also suggests that United would be willing to pay Pickford £200,000 per week to make him De Gea's replacement. It is claimed that the Red Devils would trigger a year's option in the Spain international's existing deal and then sell him to the highest bidder in the transfer window.
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United boss Erik ten Hag is said to have identified Pickford, who won his 53rd cap for England on Friday night, as the keeper he wants, given his shot-stopping abilities and his distribution with his feet, something which De Gea has been criticised for.
Whether Everton would be receptive to selling the man who captained the club in the latter stages of the season in the absence of the injured Seamus Coleman remains to be seen. Equally, Pickford only signed a new contract with the Blues in February and has always expressed his happiness at Goodison Park.
But the Daily Star state that Everton - who this week saw three of their four board members depart - have to raise money to balance the books. And the report adds that United "hope to exploit that situation" with an opening £45m bid for Pickford in the next week.
For now, the 29-year-old's concentration will be on England's final match of the season, which sees them take on North Macedonia at Old Trafford, the home of the Red Devils, on Monday.
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