Chelsea have “intensified” their contacts with Everton about signing goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, according to TMW. The Italian website reports that the England international is now the Blues’ main target to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Everton are said to have set an asking price of around €50m (£44m) for the 26-year-old, which is a very steep figure considering the shot-stopper’s performances over the course of the season.

Kepa has been criticised for his inability to make saves this campaign, but Pickford’s save percentage (62%) is only slightly better than the Spanish international’s (57%).

Shelling out such a fee, especially considering the current financial state of football, would also be a surprise, although the Toffees are owned by a wealthy benefactor, Farhad Moshiri, so they would be under no pressure to sell.

Pickford is one of a number of goalkeepers who have been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, along with Manchester United’s Dean Henderson, Burnley’s Nick Pope, Ajax’s Andre Onana and Udinese’s Juan Musso.