Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates scoring against West Ham.placeholder image
Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates scoring against West Ham. | Getty Images
Graham Potter could bring a player with a prolific history against West Ham to the London Stadium.
The striker has been with the Toffees since 2016 but is not expected to extend his stay with the club. Calvert-Lewin has made 273 appearances for Everton, scoring 71 goals, but has struggled with injury problems.
The player was at his most prolific during the 2019/20 and 2020/21 Premier League campaigns. Calvert-Lewin reached a double figure goal tally with 13 and 16 goals in those seasons but has failed to reach those heights since.
West Ham prepare Dominic Calvert-Lewin talks
He went on to earn 11 England caps between 2020 and 2021 but has not featured for the Three Lions since. Newcastle United have been heavily credited with interest this summer but it now appears as if West Ham could rival the Magpies.
An update on Calvert-Lewin’s future was shared by journalist Sebastien Vidal on Monday after plenty of speculation over the weekend. Vidal wrote: “West Ham pushing to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin! The Everton striker is set to become a free agent this summer and is a top target for Graham Potter.
“Talks are expected to take place directly with the player, who’s free to choose his next club. A £100k/week deal is reportedly being prepared.”
Calvert-Lewin may be available on a free transfer but that would be a lofty wage offer for a player who will be 29 years old next year and has not managed more than seven goals in a league season over the past four campaigns. The striking position remains a key area for West Ham to focus this summer.
Michail Antonio is expected to depart the club despite contract talks after his serious car crash and Evan Ferguson has returned to Brighton after his underwhelming loan stay at the London Stadium. Graham Potter needs to add goals to his team but a move for Calvert-Lewin would go against a supposed focus on recruiting younger players.
Everton striker has strong history against Hammers
Calvert-Lewin is a player well known to West Ham fans, having somewhat terrorised the club in the past. The striker has lost five of his 13 matches against the Hammers but, when he scores, it tends to be crucial.
The striker has six goals against West Ham. Two of those were winners in Premier League matches with another one an equalising goal, stealing a total of seven league points from the London outfit. He also scored a hat-trick against the Hammers to knock them out of the Carabao Cup in the 2020/21 season.
Despite his injuries, Calvert-Lewin did impress at times last season. He was crucial as Everton beat Liverpool 2-0 at Goodison Park and was hailed as ‘outstanding’ by former Toffees boss Sean Dyche. The manager said: "I said to him after the match, 'That is the sort of performance that gets you back around the England squad'.
“It is too early yet and I am not making any bold statement because Gareth Southgate has a lot of players to choose from, but certainly with that kind of performance he should be recognised as a top centre forward.
"I thought he was excellent. He's had a bit of illness. We're hopeful that has passed, he had it before the game, so I must commend him on that. His physical performance was outstanding, He's not quite over it but we hope it settles down a bit.”
In other news, West Ham can finally grant Graham Potter transfer wish as concrete January target made 'available'.
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