Newcastle United bid £25m for Alexander Isak backup – transfer saga still not over
Charlie Bennett
3 minutes
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Newcastle United have reportedly renewed their interest in Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Out of contract in the summer, the 27-year-old has been linked with the Magpies on several occasions since the Saudi-backed takeover. The Telegraph reported last year that Newcastle had a £25million bid rejected.
That news came at the start of a frugal transfer window that saw no major first-team signings. At the time, Everton were reportedly holding out for £40million despite Calvert’Lewin’s drop-off in recent years.
Once considered as Harry Kane’s understudy at England, the striker has fallen down the pecking order at international level. Just two Premier League goals in 20 games this season has hardly put Calvert-Lewin on Thomas Tuchel’s radar.
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His precarious contract situation has placed Everton between a rock and a hard place this month. Talk of a renewal has stalled, with the Toffees having just six months to negotiate or risk losing a prized asset for nothing.
Football Insider claim Newcastle are keeping tabs on the situation and could move this summer if he becomes available. Calvert-Lewin would provide backup to undisputed first choice Alexander Isak, the in-demand goal machine worth a cool £150million.
Callum Wilson usually fills that role but his continuing injury problems have become a concern. He turns 33 next month and, while also out of contract in the summer, Newcastle can trigger a one-year extension.
Everton manager David Moyes was grilled about Calvert-Lewin’s slump during his unveiling as manager last week. He told reporters: “I have probably only got around the players today but we all feel he (Calvert-Lewin) could make a big difference, get his goalscoring boots back on and be a big help to Evertonians and the manager as well.
“We’ll give him as much confidence as we can and as much practice as we can but then there’s a bit where you need the players to stand up and do his bit as well. I’m just in and hopefully will get them working but I have told him I need goals off him right away and he has to start delivering.”
