Newcastle United are reportedly going to reignite their interest in Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
That is according to the Sun, who state that the Magpies are keen to sign the 25-year-old from Everton this month. However, the report adds that Eddie Howe is willing to wait until the summer if a deal cannot be agreed during the January transfer window.
A summer move may largely depend on what division Everton are in. Frank Lampard’s side are currently 19th in the Premier League, and are once again embroiled in a relegation battle. The Sun add that Calvert-Lewin would be expected to leave Goodison Park if the Toffees dropped down to the Championship.
But Newcastle are keen now, and suddenly have the need for another forward option.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin could replace Chris Wood
While one striker is linked with Newcastle, another could be leaving. Chris Wood is being heavily linked with a loan move to Nottingham Forest, with Eddie Howe willing to let the 31-year-old go.
If Wood does leave St James’ Park, then the Magpies need to bring in a replacement. It would be a massive risk to just continue with Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak given the injury issues that they have both had this season.
However, a move for Calvert-Lewin would come as a real surprise. He is enduring a tough season with Everton, having suffered with injuries once again.
They plagued him last season, and it has been an issue during the current campaign too. He missed the first eight Premier League games with a knee problem.
The England international is back fit now, but has been limited to 10 appearances in all competitions. Goals have been hard to come by, with DCL finding the net just once. That was in a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace in October – the last time Everton won a Premier League game.
Given his struggles, Calvert-Lewin would surely jump at the chance to join Newcastle. However, the fact he would be third choice would surely be an issue. And then we come to the price…
Newcastle thought DCL was too expensive last year
This is not the first time Newcastle have been linked with signing Calvert-Lewin over the past 12 months. He was a major target during the summer, and felt like a likely arrival at St James’ Park.
However, money stopped a deal from taking place. Everton reportedly wanted £60million for their number nine, which was deemed far too much by Toon officials.
Given Newcastle were able to sign Isak for £63million, it is no wonder they turned their noses up at Calvert-Lewin for a similar price.
It is unlikely that he will be worth that much now, given that his reputation has took even more of a battering since the summer. The figure that the Sun mention is £35million, but it is unclear whether that’s how much Everton want or the amount Newcastle are willing to pay.
Either way, this is certainly an interesting rumour. Calvert-Lewin is clearly well-liked inside St James’ Park, otherwise he wouldn’t have been so relentlessly linked over the past year. But his career appears to be on a downwards trajectory at the moment, and it is unclear how he would fit in at Newcastle – other than on the bench.