Alan Pardew backs Dominic Calvert-Lewin for Liverpool transfer in £45m Everton verdict
Alan Pardew has lauded Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s impact at Goodison Park, suggesting the Everton striker could even play for Liverpool.
The 27-year-old has been the recent subject of transfer interest from Newcastle United, as per Luke Edwards, with the Magpies targeting him as a replacement for Callum Wilson.
With just 12 months left on his current contract, Pardew has stated that the forward could perform for any club in the Premier League, even backing him for a move to Anfield despite his injuries.
Speaking via talkSPORT, transcribed by HITC on Monday (3 June), the former Crystal Palace manager said: “I think every Premier League manager would take him.
“Whether you could get your owner to say ‘okay, I am going to pay the £40 million or the £45 million’, whatever he is going to be, it will be less than that given his injuries.
“Chairmen don’t want to go for a player that might only play ten games, but his ten games could be so significant to a manager and it could save his job. He could save you in the league. He could win you a cup. He could get you into Europe. That’s the difference he can make when he is on his game.
“In those last couple of games he played, he was magnificent against Liverpool. There aren’t many players who can achieve the level he can achieve when he is fit. The problem, of course, is his unavailability, which happens to be a bit of an issue for him.
“Realistically, he could play in any team. I honestly believe that. Even at Liverpool. At times, you could stick him at centre-forward, no problem and you know he would deliver.”
Could Everton lose Dominic Calvert-Lewin this summer?
While the Toffees face a real risk of losing their star striker this summer, even despite the injuries, it is difficult to see him joining Liverpool if a bid were to be offered.
Calvert-Lewin has been at Goodison Park since arriving from Sheffield United in 2016, understanding exactly what it means to be an Evertonian.
While some players have made the switch between the two Merseyside clubs before, after 247 appearances for the Toffees, Calvert-Lewin would certainly leave his career at Goodison on a sour note.
As Pardew suggests, the striker has the talent, passion and capabilities to be a top striker in England’s top division. His injuries are just too much of an impact, however.
The 2023/24 campaign is the first time in three seasons that the forward has played over 20 matches in the Premier League, but it still took him until the final few weeks to find his shooting boots.
The majority of fans will be hoping to see Calvert-Lewin put pen to paper on a new deal soon, though it will just be a case of waiting to see what happens with his future.
In other Everton news, the Toffees have made a move for a record-breaking striker on a free transfer.
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