Report: Everton demand £80m to part ways with Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Everton have reportedly set a staggering £80m price tag for striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin if he is to walk out of the door at Goodison Park this summer.
According to Stretty News, Premier League giants Manchester United were keen on signing the Everton forward as their striker Edinson Cavani is likely to leave at the end of the season.
It is also understood that while negotiating a new deal for defender Eric Bailly, which was recently announced, Man United also tabled a bid for Calvert-Lewin.
The Toffees turned down the offer and subsequently demanded £80m for the England international’s services.
Should the deal have gone through, Calvert-Lewin’s sale would be the most expensive in the club’s history – surpassing the £76.23m received for Romelu Lukaku by Man United. [Transfermarkt]
Have to cash in
If Calvert-Lewin continues playing the way he has this season, he’s eventually going to leave the club in his pursuit of Champions League football.
On the flip side, if he gets a serious injury or his form takes a downward spiral next season, he wouldn’t be as valuable as he is this summer.
He’s also expected to play in his first major international tournament, and if the three parties are keen on the deal, the club could push for it happening before the Euros begin.
It might pain Everton fans in the short run, but with that kind of money, the Toffees could buy another striker with a high ceiling for half the price and invest the remaining funds to strengthen other positions.
Defensively, the likes of Michael Keane and Yerry Mina have been far from impressive, and signing someone like Kalidou Koulibaily, who has been linked in the past few weeks, would be a step taken in the right direction.
The Toffees also could look to sort out a long-term replacement at right-back as Seamus Coleman is not likely to perform at this level for very long.
Interesting few months ahead for the Toffees and Carlo Ancelotti and we’re curious to see how the summer window transpires.
In other Everton news, Report: Toffees prepare £35m bid to sign ‘Phenomenal’ CL-winning attacking midfielder
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