Calvert-Lewin tempted as Everton and Newcastle United transfer twist emerges
Dominic Calvert-Lewin could yet be influenced by the takeover at Everton to sign a new contract, with clubs interested in the striker whose deal expires next summer.
That still includes Newcastle United, who came very close to securing a lucrative deal for the Toffees striker but for the move to break down [The Times, 24 June].
Dan Friedkin’s anticipated takeover completion will begin a new era for the club, and Calvert-Lewin – who is now into his ninth season on Merseyside – could be tempted to commit his future to the club that have defined his career.
TBR Football reporter Graeme Bailey told Geordie Boot Boys [10 October] the latest on the England striker
“Everton’s situation is changing now with the change of ownership,” the journalist said.
“They’re building towards this new stadium and they do not want to lose their best players – that includes Dominic Calvert-Lewin. He’s a very good player and has shown that this season. He would be very hard to replace.
“My understanding is that Everton are pushing hard to keep him now. The project they can offer him is different now, and that could be tempting for him. They’re trying to get it done before January. Newcastle will be very interested in his contract situation.”
Everton may tempt Dominic Calvert-Lewin into new contract
The imminent Everton takeover will bring with it a plethora of twists regarding the squad, management and wider club in good time, and one of those twists may well be a change of heart for Calvert-Lewin.
The reported £40million fee to Newcastle [Sky Sports, 24 June] would have been a healthy fee for a player into the final year of his deal and with a sketchy injury record, but without an adequate replacement, it would have been difficult to envisage many better realistic options up top for Sean Dyche.
Calvert-Lewin has played 255 times for Everton and is a defining player of the past few years – without the unfortunate injury struggles, he would have way surpassed 300 by now.
During this time, the ‘lockdown’ chapter of football produced the most prolific run of the striker’s Toffees career, scoring 36 goals between the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons.
One thing the club would also have to survive is the January transfer window, during which if no deal is agreed, Calvert-Lewin can secure a pre-contract for a free transfer abroad, or a disappointingly nominal fee could arrive to take him there and then.
The frontman is still, however, only 27 and his next contract will be the most important one for the rest of his career – if it is to be a future at Bramley-Moore Dock, the hope is he can rediscover the form of which he is thoroughly capable.
In other Everton news, a hurdle for Mason Holgate as he is forced to wait for his international debut.
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