Arsenal are set to enter the bidding for Sunderland’s highly-rated number one Jordan Pickford this summer.

Manchester City have long been on the trail of Pickford and first made contact with The Black Cats last summer.

Pickford’s progress has been excellent this season and he is now regarded as one of the best young goalkeepers in Europe.

Now I can reveal that Arsenal have been paying real attention to Pickford in recent weeks and they had scouts at the weekend’s game with Watford – where the young goalkeeper was the star of the show.

Now The Gunners are set to make a move for the 23-year-old – which is sure to put a question mark over the future of both Petr Cech and David Ospina, who have both been far from convincing this season.

City’s goalkeeping situation is even worse with both Wily Caballero and Claudio Bravo showing little form all season, making a new shot-stopper one of their priorities this summer.

Whilst City and Arsenal are set to head up the chase for Pickford, there are others clubs keeping close tabs on him as he looks set to depart Sunderland this summer with their relegation to the Championship set to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Merseyside duo Liverpool and Everton have both scouted him, but I have been told they are ready to battle it out for current England number one Joe Hart – who will be leaving Manchester City this summer when he returns from his loan spell at Torino.

FOOTBALLindex Talk – Jordan Pickford – Trading at just £0.92 – if you are not already on this brilliant young goalkeeper you should be, he has everything to become England’s number one and he will move this summer.