Jordan Pickford’s agent speaking to other clubs after Everton boardroom update – pundit
Everton need to stop “messing around” and give Jordan Pickford the new contract he deserves.
That’s according to former Hibernian striker Tam McManus, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the stopper’s future.
There is speculation around Pickford’s future with Tottenham expert John Wenham telling this site on 11 December that Spurs are “absolutely looking” at signing him.
A Daily Mail report on Tuesday (27 December) also claimed there is a boardroom delay on a new deal for the goalkeeper, who is out of contract in 18 months.
It is claimed the board have not signed off on the new contract despite it being verbally agreed with Pickford before he headed to the Qatar World Cup with England.
McManus can’t believe Everton would leave their “best player” in limbo.
“Pickford is Everton’s best and most important player,” McManus told Football Insider‘s Ben Wild.
“Why on earth you would leave him hanging like that, it makes no sense to me. What is going on in that boardroom?
“Surely it is a priority to get this guy tied down. Where would they be without him? If a deal has been agreed then you have to follow through on that.
“Why delay? That will alert teams. I wouldn’t be surprised if Pickford’s agent now uses this to go and get him a move elsewhere.
“That’s what might happen now because Everton have been so slow to do something so simple. They need to stop messing around.”
Pickford has started all but one of Everton’s Premier League games this season.
He has kept three clean sheets in the competition.
In other news, Everton are set for an FA investigation after an Alexander Iwobi controversy.