Dominic Calvert-Lewin is headed for the door this summerDominic Calvert-Lewin is headed for the door this summer
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is headed for the door this summer | Getty Images
Man Utd are serious about a move for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but this is who they should sign instead.
For the second summer in a row Man Utd go into the transfer window knowing that a rebuild is needed and that the manager needs to get it right.
Ruben Amorim will have his say on signings, however, the hangover from letting Erik ten Haag lead recruitment has proven to be a costly mistake that continues to hamstring the current incumbent of the Old Trafford hot seat.
With so much work needing to be done it is hard to pick a priority, however, the difference that a competent No.9 would make to the forward line isn’t up for debate.
Who Man Utd should target instead of Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Calvert-Lewin is seen as a safe option given his time at Everton and his contract status making negotiations easier. The 11-times capped England international at his best is an elite level operator, however, 57 goals in 239 Premier League appearances isn’t the standard that Man Utd need to take them back to the top.
A subjective measurement that the recruitment team should be using is whether or not a potential target would get a game, or even be considered, by the top four teams that Utd are trying to close the gap to.
Calvert-Lewin’s name wouldn’t even get pencilled into a long list for the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal or Man City. One striker who might and who could be on his way back to the Premier League is Aleksandar Mitrovic.
With 59 goals in 99 games for Serbia and 111 goals in 206 games for Fulham, as well as elite level goalscoring ratios at Anderlecht and current club Al-Hilal, the 30-year old has the statistics to go with a playing style that has always caused opposition defenders problems.
He might not be at the level needed to be a starter at the top clubs in Europe, but as a rotational option and safe pair of hands to lead the line? Few are better. Old Trafford needs its heroes and to no longer be a soft touch for visitors, Calvert-Lewin causes problems, but only when he isn’t in the treatment room and not to the level of Mitrovic.
What has Calvert-Lewin said about a possible move?
Calvert-Lewin has already spoken about his future with no announcement yet about where it lies and staying put hasn’t been ruled out:
“I'm an Everton player and my focus will always be on doing my best for Everton and I have a lot of respect for Everton football club,” Calvert-Lewin told the BBC “It's given me everything I have today.
“My main focus is making sure I am in the best condition, it is like going through a mini pre-season to get fit for these last four games. With the new manager coming in the club is moving in the right direction, there's a new stadium and there's a lot to be positive about.
“Who wouldn't want to be part of that? There was a lot of uncertainty for a long time a little bit higher up and arguably the last three seasons have been the most difficult in Everton's Premier League history and I have been there leading the line through that.
“For me it's built a lot of experience, and I have a lot of fond memories. Everton will always be a place that is special to me, so we will see what happens.”
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