Everton consider shock move for Newcastle star as Arsenal could be dealt stunning transfer blow

Everton are reportedly considering ‘axing’ England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and replacing him with Three Lions team-mate Nick Pope.

Former Sunderland goalkeeper Pickford has been a consistent presences in Toffees sides ever since he made a £24m move to Goodison Park during the summer of 2017. However, the 70-times capped England international has been the subject of some criticism in recent weeks after Everton made a poor start to the new Premier League season.

After three times in Saturday’s defeat at Aston Villa, Pickford has now conceded 13 goals in four Premier League appearances as his side head into next Saturday’s visit to Leicester City without a point to their name.

The Sun have now claimed Toffees manager Sean Dyche is ready to put Pickford’s ‘place on the line’ and could allow the experienced stopper to depart Goodison Park if his form does not improve over the coming months. The report also states Dyche will consider making a move for Newcastle star Pope, who worked under him during his time in charge of Burnley.

The 3AM Verdict: Pickford is far from the only Toffees player to blame for their extremely poor start to the Premier League season. Despite his own below-par form, it seems unlikely Dyche would allow once of his most experienced players to depart - and even more unlikely Newcastle would allow their number one goalkeeper to replace him at their Premier League rivals.

Real Madrid eye double north London swoop ahead of next season

La Liga champions Real Madrid reportedly sent chief scout Juni Calafat to Sunday’s North London derby to assess Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur defenders.

With current defensive stars Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba now over 30, talkSPORT have reported the Spanish giants are placing a ‘big priority’ of strengthening at the back in the near future. However, the report also suggests any January move would be unlikely and any deals will have to wait until next summer.

It was Arsenal that came out on top in a keenly contested derby as Gabriel’s second-half header gave all three points to Mikel Arteta’s men - but it was the Brazilian’s centre-back partner that was said to be under Real’s gaze as they show an interest in France international William Saliba. The Gunners star is described as ‘a main player of interest’ for Real - but there is also said to be an interest in Spurs defender Cristian Romero is also revealed to be on the radar for Calafat.

The 3AM Verdict: Saliba has rapidly become one of the Premier League’s most consistent defenders and has made the most of some productive loan moves earlier in his career. It is no surprise to see a club as big as Real Madrid showing an interest in his services - although it would surely take an astronomical offer to persuade the Gunners to authorise his sale.

Brentford boss hits out at ‘reckless’ Man City star

Brentford manager Thomas Frank was left ‘frustrated’ after key man Yoane Wissa hobbled out of Saturday’s defeat at Premier League champions Manchester City after he was one the receiving end of a ‘reckless’ challenge from Mateo Kovacic.

The DR Congo international made a fine start at the Etihad Stadium as he put the Bees in front inside the first two minutes with a close-range header after Pep Guardiola’s side failed to deal with a cross from the right-hand side.

However, City hit back to claim a narrow win thanks to a brace from Erling Haaland as the Norway international made it nine goals in his first four Premier League games with a first-half double. Wissa had left the pitch by the time the half-time whistle had been blown and suffering an injury following a strong tackle from Kovacic that provoked an angry response from Frank.

Speaking after the game, he said: "It could be a shorter one or it could be a longer one, I actually have no clue. We need to assess him tomorrow. It was a reckless tackle, I thought, from Kovacic, just going through the man, from behind him. I know it's probably not a red card, but it's frustrating that it's led to an injury."

The 3AM Verdict: Frank is right to feel frustrated by the Kovacic challenge because it seems the City midfielder was highly unlikely to win the ball. Surely that frustration will be further heightened if it emerges the resulting injuries robs the Bees boss of one of his key men.