Report: Newcastle hijack Everton move for coveted 23-year-old, £75,000-a-wk contract to be offered

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Published on:

30 Apr 2017, 2:20 am

By Harry Sykes

Newcastle have hijacked Everton's move for in-demand Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, according to a report.

The Sun claim that the cash-rich Merseysiders had looked in pole position to take advantage of Sunderland's relegation by signing the 23-year-old.

It is said that Newcastle have now made a "shock raid" and are strongly in contention as they prepare to offer Pickford a long-term contract worth £75,000-a-week.

The Sun report that Sunderland are resigned to losing the Englishman, who has also attracted strong interest from Arsenal, West Ham and Manchester City.

Newcastle have a number of senior goalkeepers on their payroll, including Karl Darlow, Rob Elliot, Matz Sels and Tim Krul, who has spent the season on loan at Ajax.

Former Nottingham Forest ace Darlow has been the number one for the majority of their Championship campaign but has been dropped for the last two matches in favour of fit-again Elliot.

Newcastle secured instant promotion to the Premier League on Monday night with a 4-1 win against Preston on what was a memorable evening.

Sunderland will spend next season in the Championship after their relegation was confirmed with a 1-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday.

In other Newcastle United transfer news, a brilliant text about Moussa Sissoko has been circulated among the club's staff after Wednesday's HMRC raid.

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Jordan Pickford