Everton offer Seamus Coleman new deal as Dominic Calvert-Lewin talks stall
STAYING PUT?: Seamus Coleman has been offered a new deal by Everton. Pic: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.
Everton still hope Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Michael Keane will sign new contracts to remain at the club as negotiations continue with both players.
Last summer Calvert-Lewin was attracting interest from Newcastle, among others, but last season at Goodison Park did not go to plan as he managed only three goals in 26 appearances, missing over three months between January and May due to injury.
The 28-year-old former England international has been plagued with fitness problems in recent campaigns - missing 529 days since the start of the 2021-22 season - and that is understood to have reduced his options even for a free transfer move when his contract expires at the end of the month.
Manager David Moyes wants Calvert-Lewin to stay but the terms of the new offer, based on his injury record, are unlikely to meet the player's expectations.
The club also remain in talks with 32-year-old Keane, who was relegated to fourth-choice centre-back last season.
However, new contracts have been offered to 36-year-old captain Seamus Coleman, who made just seven appearances last season because of injury but is viewed by Moyes as crucial to the dressing room, and midfielder Idrissa Gueye, 35, and it is likely both will stay on.
"Seamus will stay next season," Moyes said recently.
"Without doubt Seamus will be part of the group. I need him here. His leadership, his sort of message he has among the players and in the dressing room is so strong it would be wrong of me to let him go."