Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been linked with a surprise transfer to Manchester United.placeholder image
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been linked with a surprise transfer to Manchester United. | AFP via Getty Images
The 28-year-old striker was heavily linked with Manchester United during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tenure as manager
Former Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has reportedly expressed a strong interest in joining Manchester United this summer.
The Sheffield-born striker has been without a club since the end of last season after failing to agree a new contract with the Toffees after a nine-year-association with the Merseyside club.
It’s reported by Sun Sport that the 11-time England international has left his current team of representatives to take matters into his own hands as he looks to negotiate his next career move after a pre-season of inactivity.
What next for Dominic Calvert-Lewin?
Dominic Calvert-Lewin finished last term with just three goals in 26 league appearances. It marked a disappointing ending to what on the whole was a productive nine-year spell at Everton in the Premier League. The striker first moved to Merseyside in 2016 after leaving Sheffield United for a figure of just £1.5m. He took time to establish himself as a first team regular due to competition from stars such as Romelu Lukaku and Wayne Rooney but gradually established himself as the team’s first choice striker.
He enjoyed his best run of form under Carlo Ancelotti between 2019 and 2021 when he scored a combined total of 29 league goals across two seasons while playing under the Italian. He’s never quite hit the same heights since due to a series of injury problems but still boasts an overall record of 57 goals in 240 league matches, including the goal that saved the Blues from relegation on the final day of the season in 2022.
Calvert-Lewin decided to leave Everton at the end of his contract for a new chapter. He explained: "The choice to move on was not simply about me, it was a decision with my family and we spent a long time considering together. We believe it's the right moment to seek a new challenge and continue growing, but that doesn't lessen the bond I'll always have with Everton. I'm deeply proud of what we've shared, fighting for this club when it mattered most, scoring big goals in crucial moments, wearing the shirt with commitment and pride. My hope is that I leave with your respect, knowing I always sought to uphold the values of this great club."
Calvert-Lewin has been linked with the likes of Newcastle United and Sunderland throughout the summer but is reportedly hoping to link up with Ruben Amorim’s side this summer.
Should Man Utd sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin?
At the peak of his powers, Dominic Calvert-Lewin was heavily linked with a £50m move to Manchester United.Former boss Ole Gunnar Solskajer was reportedly a huge fan of the player and had seen him as a potential alternative target to Erling Haaland in January 2020. In the end the club signed neither, instead opting to move for Bruno Fernandes before adding Edinson Cavani to their frontline on a free transfer that summer.
Calvert-Lewin at the time of his United interest was amongst the most feared strikers in the division and a force to be reckoned with particularly when it came down to aerial duels. Injuries have disrupted his progress in recent times, but the forward insists he has more to offer.
During an appearance on the High Performance podcast, he explained: "When I started my career I wanted to play in the Premier League, play for England a go to major tournaments with England and 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 and getting into that bracket of elite players."
Ultimately, Calvert-Lewin could be a cost-effective recruit that’d add competition to United’s frontline following the signing of Benjamin Sesko but the big risk the club would need to weigh up his injury record.
Continue Reading