Arsenal tipped to hijack Chelsea move for £30m star as transfer race intensifies

Arsenal have been tipped with a shock move for the Chelsea target and Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. The Gunners currently sit top of the Premier League with two games to go in the race for league glory. Manchester City are, however, just one point behind with a game in hand.

One man who has been a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s 2023/24 successes is David Raya - the Brentford goalkeeper who has displaced Aaron Ramsdale as the Emirates number one gloves man during a fine loan spell. It appeared a near certainty that the Spanish goalkeeper’s stay would be made permanent this summer with the Gunners set to pay £27m for Raya’s signature.

However, the recent reports from TeamTalk have thrown this deal into some doubt with the Gunners now linked with yet another shot-stopper. TeamTalk reported that the Gunners are eyeing a move for the Toffees goalkeeper Pickford who, like Raya, is excellent with the ball at his feet and offers a huge passing range - both of which are traits Ramsdale has struggled to develop.

Chelsea had been viewed as the firm favourites to prise the ex-Sunderland keeper away from Goodison Park. Pickford’s departure from Everton would significantly help balance the books at the club following their Profit and Sustainability Rules concerns.

The Stamford Bridge side are, reportedly, hoping the 31-year-old will become the club’s new number one but it remains to be seen if the Gunners continue to offer such a serious threat by making their own moves for the England number one.

Pickford first joined Everton in 2017 for a fee of £30 million, making him the most expensive British goalkeeper of all time. He has gone on to make nearly 300 appearances for the club and has been twice named as the club’s Player of the Season.

After representing several of England’s youth squads, Pickford went on to make his senior debut in a friendly against Germany in November 2017 and has gone on to make 60 appearances for his country, standing between the sticks at the 2018 World Cup; Euros 2020 and 2022 Fifa World Cup.

The 31-year-old, who had played in all top five of England’s football leagues by 21, signed a new contract with the Goodison Park club in February 2023 which should see him remain at the side until June 2027.