Report: Arsenal considering approach for Sunderland's Pickford

Arsenal is pondering a move for Sunderland's breakout star Jordan Pickford amid concerns over its incumbent first-choice goalkeeper Petr Cech, reports The Evening Standard's James Olley.

The 22-year-old has been busy between the sticks for the Black Cats, currently only second to Burnley's Tom Heaton in total saves (67) this season, and further enhanced his reputation with England call-ups in October and November.

His superb elasticity would offer healthy competition or perhaps a welcome replacement for Cech, the Premier League's all-time leader for clean sheets, but who hasn't earned a shut out for eight consecutive matches - the first time this has happened in his England career.

Cech's pedigree is unquestionable, with a reputation honed in a trophy-laden stay at Chelsea between 2004 and 2015, but he has shown a susceptibility at his near post and drew uncharacteristic anger from his manager Arsene Wenger last week. Cech ran to the halfway line to take a free-kick in the dying moments at Manchester City, only to play it short to Mesut Ozil and allow the referee to blow time on a 2-1 defeat.

Wenger's other personnel available to guard the onion bag are David Ospina, who plays in the Champions League matches but was linked with a move away in the summer, and Emiliano Martinez. Wojceich Szczesny is in his second season on loan at AS Roma in Serie A, and doesn't appear likely to return.

Competition for Pickford could come in the shape of archrival Tottenham Hotspur. The White Hart Lane club is believed to have sent out scouts to watch Pickford on numerous occasions, and would swoop in the event that a big offer comes in for Hugo Lloris.