Everton have a two man shortlist to replace £25 million man who hasn’t convinced Ancelotti

Everton are evaluating the names of Jasper Cillessen of Valencia and Geronimo Rulli of Real Sociedad as a replacement to Jordan Pickford.

Questions are being raised over Jordan Pickford and his future at Everton. Daily Mail reported a couple of weeks ago that Carlo Ancelotti remains unconvinced about Pickford’s long term future at Everton. Now, news has emerged that the Toffees are seriously considering bringing a Goalkeeper that can challenge Pickford and if need be replace him as the No.1 choice between the posts.

The future of Jordan Pickford has been a heated topic of discussions in the local bars of Merseyside with a huge faction of Toffee supporters wanting him to be axed. There is a notion that he isn’t reliable anymore and has become complacent due to the lack of competition in the squad.

England national team boss Gareth Southgate has given no assurances to the 26 year old that he will remain Three Lions No.1.

Carlo Ancelotti also remains unconvinced and has had a look at the market and evaluated a few options. Manchester United keeper Sergio Romero was a target but he looks set to move to Aston Villa. Recent reports now suggest that the Royal Blues are interested in Geronimo Rulli of Real Sociedad and Jasper Cillessen of Valencia.

According to Sports Journalist Hector Gomez, Everton and Bayer Leverkusen are interested in Jasper Cillessen. The Dutch goalkeeper moved to Valencia last season from FC Barcelona when Neto went the opposite way with the whole operation marked at €35 million.

Valencia have lost their confidence in the player and are in the midst of a financial crisis. Los Che cannot afford €4.5 million in wages and the amortization costs. Bayern Leverkusen are the other admirers for Jasper Cillessen and with Valencia wanting to sell, the talks are expected to pick up pace.

The other goalkeeper that Everton have on the shortlist is Geronimo Rulli of Real Sociedad, as per El Desmarque. The La Liga team have four keepers in their ranks and are open to cashing in on Rulli. The Toffees view Geronimo Rulli as a strong replacement to Pickford with the idea of offering a fee somewhere in the region of €10 million to Real Sociedad for his services.

Geronimo Rulli spent the last season on loan at Montpellier playing 28 games and conceding 27 goals. The Argentine has a €39 million release clause in his contract with Sociedad but the Spanish team is open to letting him go for a much lower fee.

It remains to be seen whether Everton make a move for either of the two linked goalkeepers. Another thing worth noting is, Geronimo Rulli and Jordan Pickford share the same agents in the name of ‘Stellar Football Ltd’. The common agency makes the negotiations a whole lot easier.

As per a report from Gols media, the Stellar Football Ltd, offered Jordan Pickford to a number of clubs so that the Merseyside team will launch an offer for Jasper Cillessen and with the Dutchman’s move to England, Rulli could be offered to Valencia.

However, the whole operation has gone into limbo with Villarreal entering the race for Geronimo Rulli. One thing is sure that Everton are considering a replacement for Jordan Pickford, whether a keeper is signed this window or not remains to be seen.