Like him or loathe him, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been linked with a potential move to Newcastle United for a number of years now, with Eddie Howe regularly talked about as a long-term admirer.
His Everton career has dipped significantly since scoring 16 goals in 32 league games under Carlo Ancelotti over the 2021/22 season, but it wasn’t long ago Newcastle were taking a serious look.
Last June, The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards reported that the club were pushing ahead with our bid to land the one-time England international, while Sky Sports’ Keith Downie revealed that a £40m deal was discussed that same month.
It didn’t happen in the end, but 12 months later, a twist in the tale on Monday might just reignite our interest, unless a poor 2024/25 campaign has put us off…
From £40m links to free transfer
Back in the summer of 2022, Newcastle were being strongly linked with a move Calvert-Lewin, who has been consistently touted as a target of Eddie Howe’s.
Fast forward three years, however, and the same striker is all set to become available on a free transfer.
The Times’ Paul Joyce – the go-to journalist for all-things Everton – has revealed that Everton’s talks to hand Calvert-Lewin a new deal have stalled.
Their retained list does not state that he will leave on a free later this month, but it’s Joyce’s information that he’s leaving and already on the lookout for a new club.
Newcastle are in a similar position with Callum Wilson, who is now 33 and looking well past his best, if the truth be told.
We’re not suggesting Calvert-Lewin should be pursued instead of a quality forward such as the recently-targeted Joao Pedro, but if Wilson is released and Howe wants another experienced option to join our ranks, a free agent move for the Everton target man would not surprise me in the slightest.
Everton call for police action over online abuse of Calvert-Lewin's wife
Everton call for police action over online abuse of Calvert-Lewin's wife
Calvert-Lewin reveals Champions League wish
Speaking recently on the High Performance Podcast, Calvert Lewin has been discussing his dream to play in the Champions League.
An ambitious aim for a player who has struggled for goals, starts or to stay injury free in recent times, but he speaks like a man who would jump at the chance to join Newcastle.
He said: “I have to be careful with what I say, because I am still contracted to Everton, I have a long history with Everton and a big respect for the club…[but] the main thing for me is that I want to win. I want to be in a winning environment.
“The last three or four seasons it has been about survival. When I started my career I wanted to play in the Premier League.
“Play for England a go to major tournaments with England. Play in the Champions League. I have played in a major tournament for England, I have played in the Premier League…but I haven’t played in the Champions League.
“There are still things I would like to achieve before my time is done. To have the opportunity to decide potentially where that place will be. If it gives me the best opportunity and environment to win and score goals…
“Then that would be the return of me to the England team and playing in the Champions League. That has been my driver to play at the highest level possible. My representation of that is the Champions League, World Cups, Euros, getting into that bracket of elite players.”