MANCHESTER UNITED are set to make a summer move for Jordan Pickford – but Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce is ready to make the 22-year-old his first-choice goalkeeper.

Pickford recently signed a new four-year deal at the Stadium of Light, but that has not stopped a number of clubs from monitoring him closely, with Manchester United at the front of the queue.

With Jose Mourinho expected to oversee a major summer overhaul of the squad he inherited from Louis van Gaal, Manchester United sent a senior scouting delegation to the ongoing Toulon Tournament specifically to watch Pickford perform for England Under-21s.

While David de Gea is firmly established as Manchester United’s first-choice goalkeeper, Sergio Romero is currently the club’s number two and Mourinho is expected to make the signing of a new shot-stopper a key priority.

Ideally, he wants to recruit a youngster who can develop over the next few seasons, and Pickford fits the bill having impressed in his two Premier League appearances last term.

However, Allardyce is adamant he does not want to lose the youngster, and is prepared to give Pickford an opportunity to stake a claim for a starting spot when he returns for the start of pre-season training.

Vito Mannone performed creditably last season, but Allardyce’s admiration for Pickford was apparent from his willingness to sell Costel Pantilimon in January and recall Pickford from a loan spell at Preston.

Meanwhile, Sunderland officials have discussed the possibility of a move for Neven Subotic with the centre-half’s representatives.

Subotic, who has also been strongly linked with Stoke City, will leave Borussia Dortmund this summer after failing to hold down a place at the German club.

He is available for a permanent transfer, although Dortmund will also consider a season-long loan, an arrangement that would suit the Black Cats.