Everton are not giving up on their aim to sign Michael Cooper from Sheffield United, with the Toffees looking to strengthen their goalkeeping depth ahead of the new Premier League season.

Despite Everton’s determination, Sheffield United are stubborn in their cooperation and are holding out for a better deal. Cooper was one of the South Yorkshire club’s star players from last season, and will be one of the players with the highest transfer value potential in the Blades’ squad.

To further add to United’s position, Cooper joined the club from Plymouth Argyle only last summer and is contracted until 2028, giving the club a strong ability to negotiate for a better deal despite their failure to be promoted.

Everton’s interest in Michael Cooper

Everton, having perhaps the most dedicated keeper in the league in Jordon Pickford, could leave some with questions about their eagerness to move on. It was previously reported that Everton will be sticking by their keeper, who has over 300 appearances for the club.

This being said, it has been reported by Alan Nixon that Everton have remained determined to bring Michael Cooper on board, almost certainly as a second-choice option.

There is without question that Pickford has been a stalwart player for Everton, and has been one of only a few for the club to have turned that loyalty into consistent quality performances. In comparison to the ‘big five’ leagues of European football over the last calendar year, according to FBRef’s display of Opta data, Jordan Pickford is within the top quarter of goalkeepers for most distribution statistics and has a notably successful penalty record. However, he has had a less successful time in making saves over the last season, being on the 67th percentile for his save percentage, letting in 27% of shots faced.

Michael Cooper also has an impressive distribution record and has been, at times, miraculous for the Blades last season. He wasn’t a very busy goalkeeper, making an average of 2.53 saves per 90, but he had the second-highest record for percentages of saves made per shots faced; only James Trafford managed a better record.

Trafford’s valuation has been rumoured to be as high as £40m, with it being confirmed by Sky Sports that Newcastle made a bid of £25m rejected by Burnley.

Understandably, Sheffield United would want more than the £5 million lowball bid made by Everton for Cooper, a player who many viewed as being close to or equal to Trafford’s ability last season.

Michael Cooper wants to be a first-choice keeper

Michael Cooper is allegedly in no rush to move to another club, especially if he won’t be regularly starting. This, and Sheffield United’s higher valuation for the keeper, makes it seem fairly unlikely that Cooper will be moving to Everton anytime soon; however, as the window goes on, more bids will certainly be made for the Blades man.

While Everton remain the frontrunners, it’s possible that other clubs could put in an offer which is more agreeable for Michael Cooper and Sheffield United. Leeds United are one team that has shown interest in Cooper, with it being likely that their number-one, Illan Meslier, will move elsewhere before the end of the transfer window.

Meslier has had over 200 appearances for the Whites, but a litter of mistakes last season contributed to doubts that they would be promoted if he remained in net. The Frenchman was dropped for the end of the season, with the experienced hands of Karl Darlow seeing out the final matches.

Leeds have been linked to plenty of keepers, but Michael Cooper is a player who is familiar to supporters, with many seeing him as an obvious replacement. It’s not impossible to imagine the Sheffield keeper supporting the move, as it would certainly give him regular appearances in the Premier League.

In a similar fashion to Leeds, Sunderland may be another option for Cooper, with the Black Cats being very open to replacing Anthony Patterson. Sunderland has not been opposed to spending significant sums so far this summer, already spending over £25m on Habib Diarra, and confirming the signing of loanee Enzo Le Fee for around £20m.

The possibility of Michael Cooper leaving Sheffield United this summer seems neither guaranteed nor in doubt at the moment; however, the two key factors remain that it will require a larger bid and first-team football for Cooper.