By Wayne Veysey

25th Nov, 2023 | 8:00pm

Sources: Everton have 'strong interest' in Southampton star Alex McCarthy

Everton have a strong interest in frozen-out Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, sources have told Football Insider.

The 33-year-old has 18 months left on his deal at St Mary’s Stadium and lost his place to Republic of Ireland international Gavin Bazunu last season.

Everton were tracking McCarthy in the summer and their interest remains alive ahead of the January window.

Everton will have little money to spend in the transfer market amid the uncertainty caused by their devastating 10-point deduction which was administered last week.

However, loan deals and free transfers could be possible avenues available for Toffees boss Sean Dyche as he vies to keep the club in the Premier League.

Ex-England international McCarthy is a goalkeeper he admires and his extensive Premier League experience is something Everton are keen on.

Joao Virginia, Jordan Pickford’s current understudy, has made only three appearances for the club – and has not played for the first team this season.

Pickford is the undisputed number one at Goodison Park and for England ahead of next year’s European Championships.

The ex-Sunderland man has conceded 19 goals and kept three clean sheets in 15 games so far this term.

McCarthy’s last appearances came for Southampton at the end of the 2022-23 campaign as they were relegated from the Premier League.

He briefly displaced Bazunu in the sticks at St Mary’s under ex-boss Ruben Selles but has featured just once under new manager Russell Martin.

The former Crystal Palace goalkeeper has racked up 147 Premier League appearances in total and has also played 73 times in the second tier.

Following the point deduction, Everton sit 19th in the table ahead of their meeting against Man United on Sunday (26 November).

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