Arsenal are one of the many clubs that are interested in signing English sensation Jordan Pickford this summer. Arsene Wenger will hope that his side can miraculously qualify for the UCL next season and will hope to get in some star players this summer. And reports today suggest that they will have to pay £30m for the services of Pickford this summer. So is the youngster worth his price tag for Arsenal?
The Gunners have used Petr Cech to great effect since the start of the previous season but the 34-year old has not been at his best this season and Wenger believes that it is time for him to move on. David Ospina has been decent but cannot be trusted throughout a league campaign, pushing Wenger into the transfer market.
But it is not easy to find a top class goalkeeper who is ready to move and Wegner seemed to have found a gem in Pickford. The Sunderland star has been the brightest light at the Stadium of Light this season as the Black Cats could not avoid relegation. This will see a few first team players join other clubs in the Premier League next season.
The likes of Lamine Kone and Jermaine Defoe are expected to stay in the top flight for another season and Pickford could be the star, most in demand from the Sunderland squad. The 23-year old English star spent the last six seasons on loan at various clubs before cementing a place in the first team at the Stadium of Light. He is also on the verge of making an international debut for England and is a player destined for huge things in the future.
With 132 saves to his name, Pickford has been in devastating form in front of goal, frustrating almost every team and giving Sunderland a chance right till the end. But the failures at the other end could not avoid the drop this season. Only Tom Heaton has more saves than Pickford this season, showing his effect on the league already.
At just 23, he is a star for the future and in the current transfer market; it is hardly a shock to see him valued at £30m. The inflation, along with a lack of options, has seen Sunderland slap that price tag on Pickford and some feel that the asking price has pushed Arsenal out of the race for his signature.
Wojciech Szczesny and Emiliano Martinez are also on the books of the English club so it is hard to see Arsenal spend on Pickford before they sell a couple of those stars this summer. Do you think Wenger should spend £30m on Pickford this summer?
