Everton have just sent Sheffield United a clear message with their latest contract decision

Add as preferred source on Google

Sheffield United will be spending most of their summer staving off interest from Premier League clubs, but Everton must surely now be ending their pursuit in one of Ruben Selles’ key men.

Since failing to secure promotion via the play-offs, there has been immense change at Sheffield United this summer.

Chris Wilder left the club with Ruben Selles taking his place, while star player Vini Souza departed for Wolfsburg last month.

Selles is set to sign Louie Barry, which will ease some concerns around Bramall Lane, but keeping hold of one existing player could be the best thing to happen to the Blades this summer.

• READ MORE: EFL fans unite in praise for the Greece national team after they make ‘unreal gesture’ in honour of George Baldock

Everton hand Jordan Pickford huge new contract, Michael Cooper move could be off

As per Alan Nixon on Patreon, Everton are close to agreeing a new contract with Jordan Pickford that’ll tie the England star to the club for another four years.

Pickford’s current £6m-per-year salary will be bumped up significantly if he agrees. It is thought Pickford is more than content on Merseyside and will be rewarded handsomely for his loyalty.

The idea of Pickford committing his future to Everton will be music to the ears for Selles and the Blades, who will surely expect the Toffees to give up chasing Michael Cooper now.

Reports suggested Everton wanted Cooper as competition for Pickford, but were only thinking about offering around £5m for the stopper.

United were always expected to rebuff those advances, but the lure of Premier League football could have been enticing for Cooper.

Now that Everton have made it clear how valuable Pickford is, one would suspect Cooper would think twice about such a move.

• READ MORE: Rhian Brewster’s next move amid Middlesbrough interest as Sheffield United stay comes to an end

Sheffield United have to keep Michael Cooper at all costs

Aside from both James Trafford and Illan Meslier, who ended up getting promoted with Burnley and Leeds United respectively, no goalkeeper came close to Cooper in terms of clean sheets in the Championship last season.

With 21 clean sheets in 43 games, and just 33 goals conceded overall, there’s no denying how important Cooper is to the Blades.

The truth is, there’s no attainable target United could bring in to replace Cooper at this level, and there’s no reason he can’t become the best in the division next season.

Keeping Cooper could well be the difference between promotion and disappointment for Sheffield United in 2025/26.