According to the Telegraph, Newcastle are going to bid for Dominic Calvert-Lewin this summer.
The Magpies’ place in next season’s Premier League has been confirmed, meaning Eddie Howe and co can now turn their attentions to building towards the future.
It’s set to be a wild summer at St James’ Park, with plenty of incomings and outgoings expected.
Newcastle want to sign a striker, and it looks like Everton’s number nine could be the number one target.
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Calvert-Lewin top of Newcastle’s striker shortlist
The Telegraph name three forwards Newcastle are looking at as well as Calvert-Lewin – Ivan Toney, Eddie Nketiah and Darwin Nunez. However, they claim Calvert-Lewin is top of the list.
Given the options, that probably makes sense. Nunez is the pick of the bunch, but the Benfica goal machine is probably out of reach.
The Everton striker is much more attainable, and the report claims the 25-year-old is believed to be open to a move to St James’ Park.
Calvert-Lewin has had a tough year at Goodison Park. It started with three goals in three games, but injury derailed his campaign. He hasn’t scored since August.
That form will be worrying for Toon fans, but his previous record is much more encouraging. In 2019/20 he scored 15 goals in all competitions, and he did even better in the 2020/21 campaign, scoring 21 times.
If he can hit those kind of numbers for the Magpies he would prove to be a good signing.
His record last season certainly caught the eye of Jamie Carragher. The pundit labelled Calvert-Lewin as the third best striker in the Premier League behind Mo Salah and Harry Kane.
Hugo Ekitike ‘expected’ to join Newcastle
As well as Calvert-Lewin, the Telegraph state Newcastle will move for Hugo Ekitike. They claim he is ‘expected’ to join the Magpies this summer.
The French teenager nearly joined the club in January, but ended up turning down a deadline day move.
But that hasn’t put Newcastle off, and it looks like they’re gong to make a fresh move to land the Reims forward.
With moves for Calvert-Lewin and Ekitike expected, Howe is planning for the present and the future.