'A bargain' - Southall hails Everton as 23-year-old reportedly agrees personal terms
By Danny Wright
Neville Southall believes that Everton are on the verge of a "bargain" deal after reports surfaced that a £30million bid for Jordan Pickford has been accepted by Sunderland.
The Sun has reported that the 23-year-old is set for a medical on Wednesday night with the Toffees staff as he gears up for the Under-21 European Championships in Poland after agreeing personal terms with the club.
And Southall, who spent 17 years as an Everton goalkeeper, thinks that every penny of the club record spent is totally worth it in order to grind out extra points in the Premier League.
"I think if we sign Pickford we have a bargain," said the 58-year-old, on his personal Twitter account on Tuesday. "What price saving 12 points a season? Potential to go all the way to world level."
Ronald Koeman looks set on making Pickford his first signing of the summer after Everton secured qualification to the Europa League for next season.
The goalkeeper position has been one that has caused many headaches for the Dutchman in his debut season at Goodison Park, with Maarten Stekelenburg and Joel Robles trading places in the starting eleven throughout the campaign.
However, a £30million splurge on Pickford should end that indecision, as the England Under-21 international has been tipped to be one of the country's best shot-stoppers in coming years.
He made 33 appearances across all competitions this term as Sunderland suffered relegation from the Premier League.
The 'keeper kept five clean sheets but earned rave reviews after a series of impressive displays between the sticks.
In other Everton news, Michael Owen has also had his say on the Toffees' valuation of Pickford.
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