Pickford's loyalty never in doubt as new contract beckons

JORDAN PICKFORD is expected to put pen to paper on a new Everton deal this week.

- By JOE THOMAS

Talks over a new deal began last month, with the club keen to tie down one of their most important players as he approached the final two years of his current agreement.

The England number one was keen to extend his commitment to the Blues and discussions are now well advanced.

Addressing the contract situations of key players has been a priority for the club since the end of a transformative summer transfer window in which nine players were signed ahead of the opening season at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Securing the long-term future of Pickford was considered a key issue by both manager David Moyes and owners the Friedkin Group.

Moyes viewed the protecting defensive axis of Pickford and centre backs James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite as critical to his summer squad-building exercise.