Newcastle make surprise move for £40m Man Utd star as Liverpool eye outrageous swap dealplaceholder image
Newcastle make surprise move for £40m Man Utd star as Liverpool eye outrageous swap deal | Getty Images
Man United and Newcastle are both going after the same striker target this summer.
Ruben Amorim’s quest to find a new number nine took a damaging hit recently, as it has been reported that Arsenal are closing in on a deal for Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres. United were hoping to reunite Gyokeres with manager Amorim following the pair’s time together at Sporting CP.
This could be tough for United, who have already spent £62.5m on Matheus Cunha and also want to sign Bryan Mbeumo, who will cost over £60m. The Red Devils may have to consider cheaper alternatives, as they are competing with rivals Newcastle.
Newcastle in talks with Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Last year, Calvert-Lewin struggled with injury problems, limiting him to just 26 Premier League appearances. He scored three goals and provided two assists. The 28-year-old is now looking for his next move, which can be somewhat of a fresh start after a poor couple of years on Merseyside.
According to a report by talkSPORT, Newcastle United are holding talks with the English striker, with manager Eddie Howe reportedly a long-term admirer of Calvert-Lewin. The Magpies were keen on him last summer, but didn’t want to pay the transfer fee for the 28-year-old.
Manchester United and Leeds are also included in the report, both credited with interest. However, the latter are all but out of the race to sign the 28-year-old, as they will struggle to afford his wage demands.
Calvert-Lewin would be a cheap solution to Man United’s striker problems, and more of a gamble due to his recent form. However, he has shown his goal-scoring ability in the Premier League in the past, netting a total of 57 goals in over 230 games for the Toffees.
Are there any other free-agent strikers available?
Calvert-Lewin is so far, the only free agent number nine that has been linked with a move to Old Trafford; however, there are other options that Man United could consider alongside the 28-year-old.
Callum Wilson recently left Newcastle as a free agent, which is why the Magpies are in for a new striker. At the age of 33, he is much older, but has shown better form more recently than Calvert-Lewin. In his five-year spell with the Magpies, Wilson scored 49 goals in 130 games.
Furthermore, Jamie Vardy is also available, as he left Leicester City, following a very successful 13-year spell with the club. He has scored 183 Premier League goals for the Foxes and is by far the most established of the free agent nines. However, at the age of 38, it is unclear how much top-level football the English attacker has left in the tank.
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