Everton are seeking a goalkeeper with experience to boost the first team ranks after the departures of Joao Virginia and Asmir Begovic
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Mark Traversof Bournemouth during a training session at Vitality Stadium on September 12, 2024 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Mark Travers of Bournemouth during a training session at Vitality Stadium(Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers is understood to be on Everton’s radar as the club seeks goalkeeper reinforcements. The 26-year-old, who spent last season on loan in the Championship with Middlesbrough, is being considered as the Blues look for back-up to Jordan Pickford.
The position is one of several deemed a priority for the first team after the departure of a dozen senior players at the end of June, with central midfield and the right wing also considered key following the arrival of forward Thierno Barry.
Pickford, who is yet to join his team-mates for pre-season after playing for England earlier in the summer, is the only goalkeeper with Premier League experience currently on Everton’s books.
That follows the exit of a swathe of keepers this summer, including Joao Virginia and Asmir Begovic.
Virginia had been the club’s number two for two seasons, covering Pickford during some cup matches. Both he and Begovic left when their contracts expired at the end of June.
Billy Crellin, who was on loan at Accrington Stanley last season, and Slovenia Under-21s international Zan-Luk Leban also left when their deals expired. Leban has since joined Slovenian top-flight club NK Celje.
That leaves Harry Tyrer as the only other goalkeeper with first-team experience. The 23-year-old spent last season in League One with Blackpool, having helped Chesterfield to promotion from the National League the previous year.
Tyrer is the most senior goalkeeper training with the squad on its pre-season Scotland camp, where he has been joined by under-21s goalkeeper George Pickford and England youth international, Douglass Lukjanciks. Fraser Barnsley, a Northern Ireland youth international and 17-year-old Goodness Gospel-Eze are the other goalkeepers in the club’s ranks.
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There is, therefore, a requirement this summer to find a keeper with senior experience to support Pickford.
Travers, who has played 24 Premier League matches, is one of the players currently being considered for that role. He was in goal for the Cherries at Goodison Park when Abdoulaye Doucoure’s stunning strike secured survival on the final day of the 2022/23 season.
Bournemouth have made a bid for Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, which could create space for Travers to exit.