Manchester City are leading the chase for Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, TheGamblingTimes.com has been told.

Pickford, crowned North East Young Player of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association on Sunday, has been a stand-out performer for Sunderland this season and one reason they are not already calling the Championship their home for next term.

Even if Sunderland do avoid the drop, it is believed they will have a huge battle on their hands to keep hold of the Washington-born 22-year-old – who has already been called into the full England squad.

I have been told by well placed sources that Manchester City have Pickford firmly in their sights – with Pep Guardiola’s scouts highlighting him earlier in the season and the Spaniard tactician is believed to have been impressed with what he has seen himself.

It is understood City have made contact with Sunderland, just to be asked to be kept informed of the situation – but the two clubs have a good relationship, and current City director Brian Marwood has strong connections in the area.

Big price

City already know Sunderland would want in excess of £20million for Pickford, seen as one of the best young goalkeepers in Europe, and they would seemingly have no qualms paying that.

City are in desperate need of bolstering their goalkeeping options with summer signing Claudio Bravo looking incapable of filling Joe Hart’s gloves, who is currently on-loan at Torino and told he has not future at City.

Such has been Bravo’s struggles that understudy Willy Caballero has been brought in but Guardiola wants a new number one this summer, and one who can play a sweeper role and they clearly believe Pickford could be the man.

Liverpool are also in the market for Pickford, but with Hart also in their sights they could allow City the inside line in order to smooth over that avenue for them – should they pursue the current England number one.

Ladbrokes believe that Liverpool and Arsenal – as it stands – are the most likely landing spots for Pickford this summer, should he leave.

TheGamblingTimes.com spoke with Ladbrokes’ David Burin, who said: “It looks like Klopp and Wenger will be battling it out for the stopper’s signature this summer, but those who think he could be City’s next man between the posts should lump on now.”

Jordan Pickford – Next Club odds by Ladbrokes:
2/1   Liverpool
3/1   Arsenal
10/1 Tottenham
16/1 Man Utd
20/1 Man City