Everton are showing an interest in signing Karl Darlow as their backup goalkeeper to Jordan Pickford.
There is no doubt over who Everton’s number one goalkeeper is, with Pickford nailing down the spot between the sticks.
However, there has not been a great deal of pressure placed on him by Mark Travers, whose only two appearances came in the Carabao Cup.
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With Travers expected to push for an Everton exit this summer, a new second-choice goalkeeper is likely to be needed.
As Sky Sports have shared news of Everton’s interest in Darlow, CEO Angus Kinnear could be crucial to securing a deal.
How Angus Kinnear could boost Everton’s hopes of signing Karl Darlow
Everton are rivalling Manchester United in showing an interest in the free agent, Darlow.
The 35-year-old has spent the last three seasons at Elland Road after Kinnear helped to facilitate his move from Newcastle United in 2023.
Before making the move to Merseyside, Kinnear was Leeds United’s sporting director for eight years.
Already this summer, Kinnear has secured Hayden Hackney’s personal terms after presenting him the opportunity to join Everton.
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It must be stressed that there were plenty of other interest clubs in the midfielder, but Kinnear was able to convince him that the Hill Dickinson Stadium was the right place for him.
Being able to convince a second-choice goalkeeper could be a different matter, though.
Pickford will naturally be the number one goalkeeper, with opportunities expected to be few and far between.
| Karl Darlow’s career | Total appearances |
| Nottingham Forest | 111 |
| Newcastle United | 100 |
| Leeds United | 38 |
| Hull City | 12 |
| Walsall | 10 |
| Newport County | 8 |
Man United may be able to offer Darlow with more opportunities in the side as they will have to balance Champions League football alongside the domestic action.
However, Kinnear should still have a solid connection with Darlow considering the veteran goalkeeper eventually broke through at Elland Road.
Where Karl Darlow would get minutes for Everton
The reality is any goalkeeper heading to Everton this summer will not be uprooting Pickford from the starting XI.
Gary Neville has admitted Pickford has proven him wrong over the years after holding initial concerns about the England number one.
Travers has already failed to pick up any regular minutes as a result of Everton’s poor performances in the cup competitions.
The Republic of Ireland international was warranted minutes in the Carabao Cup, which Darlow would likely also be handed if he signed as a replacement.
Otherwise, the only opportunity for Darlow would likely come as a result of a possible injury to Pickford.
Everton News understands that George Pickford will be handed an opportunity in pre-season, but a loan move away remains the likely next step.
One big issue for any second-choice goalkeeper at Everton is the mounting pressure on David Moyes to mount a cup run on Merseyside.
For too long now Everton have failed to give the cup competitions a good go and keeping a strong squad may have to be considered going into next season.
Kinnear has already secured Darlow’s signature and time will only tell whether he can do it again.
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