Everton want to sign Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy after Luton Town transfer collapses, could leave for free

Everton want to sign Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy as competition for Jordan Pickford after his move to Luton collapsed, report the Evening Standard.

Writing on their official website (14 August), the newspaper report that the Toffees are in the market for a new goalkeeper and have competition from Crystal Palace for the 33-year-old former England international.

Asmir Begovic left at the end of his contract and Joao Virginia is currently the number two at the club, but McCarthy would provide more Premier League experience for Dyche to choose from.

“Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy is attracting interest from Crystal Palace and Everton after initial talks with Luton broke down,” they wrote.

“Everton, meanwhile, are operating on a limited budget this season as they strive to stay on the right side of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. Much of their business this summer has therefore been focused on loan signings.

“The Toffees want heightened competition for Jordan Pickford and Joao Virginia, and have been interested in 33-year-old McCarthy for a while.

“Southampton may be willing to let McCarthy leave for free this summer due to his significant wages — believed to be £50,000 a week — and it is understood that Luton were unable to cover his demands.”

No shock

McCarthy was brought back into the fold at Southampton at the back end of last season having initially lost his place to Gavin Bazunu, but he couldn’t stop them from being relegated.

Everton losing Begovic from the squad means the goalkeeper unit is significantly weaker now, even though Pickford is the long-standing and undisputed number one at the club.

McCarthy would come in on a free transfer most likely and while £50,000 per-week is seemingly quite high for a back-up goalkeeper he would probably agree to something a bit lower knowing he’d be on the bench.

The wages are also not that mental for a Premier League club with stability and without a transfer fee it would mean the deal is far more doable for us too.

It’s a smart deal to add experience and competition to the squad while also ensuring that we don’t eat into our budget for other deals, so it should be one fans are happy with.