Jordan Pickford could be sold in this summer’s transfer window due to sanctions placed on sponsor Alisher Usmanov, according to The Telegraph.
Usmanov has been hit with UK penalties after having ‘particularly close ties’ with Russian president Vladimir Putin, which also caused his assets to be frozen by the European Union (The Guardian).
The tycoon’s company USM was at the forefront of sponsoring £30 million for the first option to secure the naming rights of Everton’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock (The Times), but the loss of finances could be detrimental going forward.
The Telegraph now report the uncertainty could leave the club’s top players exposed for transfer, with number one stopper Pickford expected to top a list containing star forwards Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison.
The report states Tottenham were interested in claiming Pickford from Everton, having appeared on the club’s radar as a long-term replacement for Hugo Lloris.
The same publication reported earlier this season that Antonio Conte picked out the 27-year-old to come to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (The Telegraph), but rumours have since cooled after Lloris signed a fresh two-year contract in January.
Spurs Web Opinion
The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine is already causing plenty of issues financially for owners and sponsors in football, and we could see that happen here with Everton.
Everton at the moment are set to lose a hefty chunk of money following the sanctions placed on Usmanov and the main way they can raise funds is to sell players, which clubs will surely look to swoop in for.
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