Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte has his eyes on Jordan Pickford heading into the January transfer window, according to reports...

What's the word?

The Telegraph's Mike McGrath claims that the Italian is looking to seal a move for the Everton star as he has his sights set on an English goalkeeper for his new long-term plans at the club.

It's thought that Spurs are considering their options between the sticks, with veteran and club captain Hugo Lloris in the final few months of his current contract.

Pickford is amongst the high-profile targets in the frame to replace him.

It remains to be seen how much the Toffees would command for his signature but they can expect to receive more than the £25m they spent to land him from Sunderland in 2017 - CIES Football Observatory currently value him at €30m (£26m).

One fell swoop

A move for the England international makes the world of sense for Tottenham in 2022.

His arrival would solve two key problems and that would make Conte's job a lot easier, especially when it comes to finding other additions in crucial positions, such as up front and in central defence.

Pickford, who came through the academy system at the Stadium of Light, is obviously a homegrown talent, so he would free up a foreign spot in their squad registration - something which has been bubbling beneath the surface in north London for quite some time.

Furthermore, he would be able to come straight in and replace Lloris, given his experience in both the Premier League (186 appearances) and at international level (42 caps).

Aside from his shot-stopping, one of the 27-year-old's biggest strengths is his passing and distribution, which is why he has emerged as a favourite of Gareth Southgate for England.

"Pickers is a joke man. He's so good as well with his feet," fellow England international Jack Grealish recently claimed to the Three Lions' official YouTube channel.

He is also considered to be a big character inside the dressing room and would have no trouble fitting in with teammates like Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Eric Dier already at the club.

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Meanwhile, Pickford has also been dubbed "faultless" by Toffees coach Alan Kelly after England's Euro 2020 final heartbreak.

"On a personal level, Jordan was superb in the final, as he has been throughout the tournament," he told Everton's official website. "He’s has been shining light for his country.

"It wasn’t just his penalty saves in the final, his performance throughout the 120 minutes was superb. He was faultless. He was calm, cool and controlled. He stood up to be counted when the big moments happened."

On the above evidence, the 6 foot 1 colossus would be a very astute signing for Paratici and Conte to make in the New Year. He would not only aid their homegrown quota but also ease life after Lloris, should the 34-year-old depart at the end of his contract.

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