Rumour Reel: Arsenal to pounce for Pickford, Sissoko swap deal for Everton?
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Coral’s rumour reel
On Christmas Eve, shoppers across the country traditionally do one last present dash, but the real spending begins in just over a week, when New Year marks the start of the January transfer window for Premier League clubs. So, indulge in the build-up with Coral’s festive helping of the rumour reel, as today’s back pages link Jordan Pickford to Arsenal and much more…
But, it’s not just the Gunners who are counting down the days until they can open their wallet…
Jordan Pickford to Arsenal?
Pickford is a name that just keeps popping up on the transfer radar, as the young Sunderland stopper continues help pull his club out of the fire with some fine performances in net.
Reports suggest that, after a series of wobbles by the Arsenal defence and veteran keeper Petr Cech in particular, the Gunners could move to grab a new goalie in an attempt to solve their clean sheet woe.
With Pickford having penned a Black Cats contract until 2020 and right in the midst of a relegation survival scrap, it is believed Arsene Wenger could capture the custodian and then loan him back to the Stadium of Light side for the rest of the season.
Pickford, still just 22 and yet to get an England cap, could be useful in providing competition and a future heir to Cech, who has kept just four clean sheets this Premier League campaign.
Moussa Sissoko swap deal for Everton and Spurs?
Elsewhere and Arsenal’s north London neighbours Tottenham could also get in on a slice of transfer action, with a Moussa Sissoko swap deal being mooted as Spurs continue to covet Everton’s Ross Barkley.
Midfielder Barkley’s Toffees future is said to be uncertain and, with Mauricio Pochettino keen to link the England man up with compatriots Harry Kane and Dele Alli, Sissoko could go the other way.
Ronald Koeman tried to beat Tottenham to Sissoko last summer, but failed to land the former Newcastle United star, according to reports.
Everton’s engine room has often been lacking bite and dynamism, and box-to-box Sissoko could certainly add both, with his stock having fallen at White Hart Lane after being used as a bit-part player.
Meanwhile, Pochettino is renowned for shaping young talent, and could work wonders with stalled Barkley, who fits the profile of Spurs’ young squad.
