It feels like 2022 again with some of the Newcastle United transfer rumours right now.
That summer saw the Magpies break the bank to bring in Alexander Isak, who became the club’s most expensive signing ever.
However, until his arrival in August 2022, it was proving to be rather difficult to sign a striker.
A relentless pursuit of Hugo Ekitike ended in disappointment, with the Frenchman joining Paris Saint-Germain instead. He has now been linked with a fresh move to St James’ Park, although a report from the Athletic has played down the chances of Ekitike joining Eddie Howe’s side.
Another attacking target in the summer of 2022 was Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and he too is being mentioned as a possible Toon target as Dan Ashworth and co make plans for 2024.
Newcastle United could reignite interest in Dominic Calvert-Lewin
According to TEAMtalk, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is back on Newcastle’s radar as they look to sign at least one striker in 2024.
The report states that the Magpies are tracking the 26-year-old, and could consider making a move for him if he can continue to prove his fitness.
He has been plagued with injuries over the past couple of years, but is finally putting a run of games together.
That is certainly encouraging, as his fitness record was so bad in the summer of 2022 that it hindered Newcastle’s interest in him.
So did the asking price, with Everton wanting Newcastle to pay £60million for their number nine. That was a ridiculous fee, and one that Eddie Howe’s side refused to pay.
Calvert-Lewin was criticised by Alan Shearer earlier this year
There is no way that Calvert-Lewin would be valued that highly now. His reputation has been seriously depleted over the past couple of years.
He does appear to be improving, with the England international boasting four goals in 11 appearances so far this season.
That is already better than he did in the entirety of last season. During the 2022/23 campaign, Calvert-Lewin only managed to score two goals in 18 games.
He was blighted by injuries, while his record was shocking when he was fit enough to play. It led to him receiving criticism from Alan Shearer in February 2023, at a time when Calvert-Lewin and Neal Maupay only had two Everton goals between them in 35 appearances.
Toon legend Shearer said the record was ‘pretty embarrassing‘, which just sums up how much DCL had fallen off since the days of him scoring 21 times in a season under Carlo Ancelotti. He was so good under the Italian that Ancelotti called him a ‘complete striker‘.
If we could get the Ancelotti version of Calvert-Lewin, he would be a great signing. But that was a few years ago, and injuries have crippled him since then. Newcastle need someone they can rely on up front, which is why they surely will not bid for Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
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