Dominic Calvert-Lewin still a Newcastle target, Everton ‘braced’ for late bids
Everton are “braced” for late bids from Newcastle for Dominic Calvert-Lewin as the Saudi-backed club have discussed him this week, report The Telegraph.
With the focus at Goodison so heavily pointed towards the hunt for a new manager, and the English forward’s importance over the rest of the season, it is thought he would not be sold.
But despite the Magpies signing Chris Wood from Burnley for £25million, Calvert-Lewin “has remained a player of interest”.
Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath writes: “The 24 year-old has been part of recruitment discussions at Newcastle United this week as they look to invest the money of their Saudi Arabian owners to stay in the Premier League, while Arsenal also retain an interest.”
The North East club apparently see the England international as a No 9 in the mould of club legend Alan Shearer.
The forward has previously been mooted as a £60million target for West Ham (Mirror).
High stakes
There is no suggestion that Everton would be happy to see their main front man leave the club, especially at such a crucial time in the season.
Now that he has returned from injury they would likely be counting on him to score the goals to lead them away from the relegation zone.
But Newcastle’s new-found wealth potentially could mean all bets are off.
At 24 and with 39 goals over the past two and a half seasons, despite the injury problems this term, he falls into the scope of players who are worth spending big money on.
If a bid north of the £60million suggested for a West Ham deal came in then most teams would have to consider it.
But whether the player would want to make the move is another matter.
Arsenal and the Hammers would provide respite from a relegation battle, where as the Toon would not, which appears to have factored in the new richest club in football struggling to recruit during this window.
Additionally, losing Calvert-Lewin before the end of the window would surely complicate the manager search, as any candidate is going to want to use him, and that search certainly doesn’t need any more complications.
But Newcastle are apparently not put off so it could be an edgy few days for Toffees fans.
In other Everton news, this Goodison reject has turned down a move and looks set to stay.