Dominic Calvert-Lewin could be forced to stay at Everton against his will after Richarlison transfer emerges
Most Everton fans have accepted that a major sale needs to happen this summer and it will likely be one of Richarlison or Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Both players are believed to be open to an exit, but after very differing seasons during the 2021/22 campaign the interest in a transfer for either player seems to be differing.
Calvert-Lewin had been discussed by both Newcastle United and Arsenal, before the Gunners cooled their interest last month [Fabrizio Romano], while the Brazilian has been linked with a host of clubs including Real Madrid, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain [90min].
However over the weekend it was reported by Brazilian press that Tottenham had entered advanced negotiations with the Toffees over a potential €60m (£51.2m) deal for the 25-year-old and contract talks had already been held.
While that has since been denied by The Athletic, who have confirmed Spurs’ interest but say a deal isn’t close yet, that puts Calvert-Lewin in a difficult position regarding his own future.
Reports suggested that the England international was due for talks with Frank Lampard [The Mirror, June 3] once he returned from holiday and that he was open to an exit, with European football at the top of his ambitions.
With Everton battling relegation and strapped for cash right now, the prospects of that at Goodison Park look unlikely right now.
But with Richarlison far closer to an exit, and the club only needing to lose one of them this summer, he may well be forced to sit tight and stick around for another year whether he likes it or not.
The club simply can’t afford to lose too many key players in a summer where they look to rebuild and move away from the relegation battle that plagued them in the 2021/22 campaign. With the big fee that they can get from selling Richarlison, they can strengthen and keep hold of their other assets.
Calvert-Lewin may not like it, but many fans will feel that he owes them another season anyway after missing much of the last campaign through injury.
It was his goal that ultimately kept the club in the division against Palace, but there are more goals to come in the new season because he’s now likely to be forced to stick around.
In other Everton news, Formal bid expected this week as Euro giants enter race for major transfer
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