Jordan Pickford could be forced into the arms of Man Utd and Tottenham despite wanting to stay at Everton, according to reports.
The Toffees are in danger of playing Championship football next season with Frank Lampard’s side currently 18th in the Premier League table.
Everton have won just three of their 18 Premier League matches this season with the Merseysiders winning just one of their last 12 matches in all competitions.
Lampard’s side played fairly well in recent matches against Man City and Man Utd but were dreadful in their 4-1 loss to Brighton last Tuesday.
And their poor form is impacting on their future plans with The Sun claiming that Pickford has ‘told Everton he wants to stay at the club’ and sign a new contract.
However, the England international and Everton are ‘deadlocked in a row over pay’ with their potential Championship status impacting on their ability to offer new deals and buy players.
Manchester United and Tottenham are both ‘willing to nearly double his £100,000 wages to secure his signature’ and Everton’s refusal to meet his current demands could see Pickford fall into their Premier League rivals’ laps.
A source told The Sun: “Jordan wants to stay at Everton. He loves the place, and is settled in the area he lives. But the club is not willing to meet the wage increase he is asking for.
“The player and his agent have asked Bill Kenwright and the board to at least meet them halfway. But the club is only willing to offer him a few thousand a week more than he’s currently earning.
“The big problem they have is, of course, the fact that relegation is looming over their heads. It means they can’t be budgeting for big wage increases when they might be in the Championship in 12 months time.
“Despite the risk of going down, Jordan is still willing to commit his future to the club now. He thinks he can help them get out of the mess they are in, and move forward.
“Lampard is keen to get it resolved too because he thinks it would send a message to the fans and players that they are determined to keep their best players.”
Frank Lampard recently called on the Everton board to invest in the January transfer market with the Toffees struggling to score goals this campaign.
“We want to help the squad in the January window,” Lampard said.
“We want to have more options in the forward areas, if the right players become available in those areas then we have to try and improve.
“Particularly when we…
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