Rumour Reel: Toffees plot Pickford as Stekelenburg replacement?
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Coral’s rumour reel
Jordan Pickford to Everton rumours catch the eye among the Sunday papers this week, while across Stanley Park their Merseyside rivals are plotting a striker signing as Liverpool move for Andrea Belotti.
Get all the best football transfer gossip here in your one stop shop for such speculation. The Coral rumour reel keeps you informed, so let’s look in more detail at these latest tabloid links…
Jordan Pickford to Everton?
How ruthless is Toffees boss Ronald Koeman? Fellow Dutchman and current Goodison Park first-choice stopper Maarten Stekelenburg put in a man of the match display, saving two penalties in a 1-1 draw at the Etihad against Premier League leaders Manchester City, yet there is talk of replacing him!
Sunderland posts protector Jordan Pickford to Everton is the sensational story in the national press this Sunday, with the 22-year-old goalie recently called up by England. This is as much due to a paucity of fit and available options as any excellence on Pickford’s part, though.
The Blacks Cats are struggling under David Moyes, and it’s been no different with a string of several managers that came before him. Injury to Stadium of Light number one Vito Mannone early in the season meant 22-year-old Pickford was pressed into service.
Moyes and the Sunderland hierarchy are reportedly set to offer the player a pay rise, but Pickford is also being watched by Manchester United, meaning the Toffees may have a fight on their hands. He is Everton’s top target as the long-term replacement for Stekelenburg, however.
Liverpool move for Andrea Belotti?
On the red half of Merseyside, meanwhile, rumours persist over a Liverpool move for Andrea Belotti being in the pipeline.
One of the stars at Torino besides England keeper Joe Hart, 22-year-old striker Belotti recently scored for Italy against Macedonia in a 3-2 World Cup qualifying win.
Netting five in as many Serie A outings this season so far, Belotti is becoming hot property. His international prospects, meanwhile, are now enhanced by the high-profile falling out between new Azzurri boss Giampiero Ventura and ex-Southampton striker Graziano Pelle.
Red manager Jurgen Klopp appears undeterred by how previous Italian at Anfield have flopped, which notably include Andrea Dossena, Mario Balotelli and Alberto Aquilani. Arsenal are also rumoured to be interested in buying Belotti, but Liverpool shall storm a march on the by biding £20m this winter.
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