Jordan Pickford says he will “definitely” be at Everton next season after he signed a new contract earlier this year.
The 29-year-old extended his deal to the end of 2027 on 24 February, but was linked to moves to both Tottenham and Manchester United during the transfer window, with sales mooted to boost Sean Dyche’s transfer budget.
But with Andre Onana heading to Old Trafford this summer after Spurs signed Guglielmo Vicario the Toffees star has now made public that he has no intentions to leave Goodison Park ahead of the new season.
The England number one responded when asked if he was staying, at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club as per The Athletic: “Definitely. I’ve just signed a new contract and I’m happy and my family is happy so now we just want to move forward as a club.”
Asked about his view on new arrivals during the window Pickford answered: “I think the manager would like (to make more signings) that. I’m not the manager, but I think we have a good squad.
”In the Premier League, you always want to get better and move forward and in the right direction. As a team, you always want to be stronger and if that means new signings to help us become better, then that is ideal.”
Building block
The news that the keeper and often-captain isn’t going anywhere should come as a relief to Evertonians this summer, with everyone at the club appearing to have a price currently.
A sale of Pickford would generate a sizeable fee but he would equally be very hard to replace for Sean Dyche, both in terms of his ability and his status within the squad.
His new contract earlier this year was dismissed in some quarters as showing a lack of ambition amid the second of two-straight relegation battles.
But the former Sunderland made has made his commitment to Everton evident by signing that deal and now confirming his future plans.
All eyes will now be on Amadou Onana for the rest of the window, with the Belgian star likely capable of generating the largest transfer income if anyone has to be sacrificed.
The Toffees look to be heading towards a decent profit on Demarai Gray, so fans will have to hope that the winger leaving on top of Ellis Simms and Ishe Samuels-Smith gives the manager sufficient budget to capture a desperately-needed forward or two.
