Arsenal will go back to the drawing board in their hunt for a successor to Petr Cech after being priced out of a move for Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
The 23-year-old, currently on Under-21 duty with England, is believed to be closing in on a big-money move to Everton after the clubs agreed a £30 million fee.
And according to the Evening Standard, Arsenal had been monitoring Pickford with interest for some time, but have pulled out of the race due to the huge transfer fee Sunderland are set to pocket.
The Gunners have long held an interest in Pickford, with the youngster impressing massively despite Sunderland’s relegation last season, and even considered bidding in January.
Arsene Wenger is believed to be looking for a new goalkeeper to be a long-term heir to Cech, who turned 35 in May.
Wojciech Szczesny is not expected to be that man, with the Poland international closing in on a permanent move to Italy with Juventus having starred in his two years on loan at Roma.
David Ospina, who deputised for Cech in the cup competitions, is also expected to leave north London, with a move to Turkey most likely at the moment.
Instead, Arsenal could turn their attention to Pickford’s compatriot, Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland, though there are some concerns over his current fitness after a long injury lay-off.
Despite having at least £100m to spend this summer, Wenger is still a long way off completing a deal, and his reluctance not to compete with Everton for Pickford does not bode well.
MORE : Arsene Wenger praises reported Arsenal transfer target Jordan Pickford
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