Everton plan to get Dominic Calvert-Lewin to sign contract amid Dan Friedkin takeover emerges
Everton hope the vision of a new future with the club will convince Dominic Calvert-Lewin to sign a new contract, according to Graeme Bailey.
The journalist told Everton News (10 October) that the promise of greater success with the Toffees after The Friedkin Group’s expected takeover from Farhad Moshiri is the main selling point to the striker, rather than just the money coming into the club.
Calvert-Lewin, 27, rejected a new contract during the summer due to uncertainty over the ownership situation as Dan Friedkin initially pulled out [The Times, 19 July] and now has less than a year left on his deal.
Bailey said: “Everton want to try to get him to sign a new deal. They’re hoping that the new money… more so the new future that they’re projecting might persuade him to stay more than anything. It’s not about the money.
“Obviously he doesn’t want to keep struggling year in year out, as the fans don’t and as the club doesn’t.
“They’re trying to sell him a new vision and a new promise for the future, because they don’t want to lose him for free.
“Keeping your good players is a big part of progressing as a club.”
The Friedkin Group set to buy Everton from Farhad Moshiri
If Calvert-Lewin was wavering in the summer thanks to the constant turmoil at Goodison Park in recent years there would logically be a good chance of him being reassured by the Friedkins’ arrival.
He reportedly rejected another attempt to open negotiations on an extension only last month [i News, 4 October] but that may have come when John Textor still appeared to be in the driver’s seat for a takeover deal but still facing hurdles in relation to Crystal Palace.
Friedkin raced back into the equation and completed a deal within four days [Matt Slater, 27 September] so the picture has changed fast in recent weeks.
The Roma chiefs hope to be in by December which would leave a month’s window until Calvert-Lewin can start discussing a summer free transfer with foreign sides, with AC Milan among those linked previously.
It will take more than just the takeover going through to lift fortunes regularly on the pitch, so investment in the January transfer window is expected [i News, 9 October].
Calvert-Lewin may be the top striker in Sean Dyche’s squad but he has his own role to play in putting away chances and improving results.
Off the pitch matters seem to be moving in the right direction but there have been false alarms before, so it may be that the ex-England international is waiting for the Friedkin takeover to be confirmed before committing.
In other Everton news, Dyche would jump if offered a rival Premier League job “every day of the week”.
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