According to The Telegraph, Arsenal are keeping tabs on Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The 24-year-old striker has been a regular fixture for the Merseysiders since the 2017/2018 campaign when he was just 20-year-old.
In the past two Premier League campaigns, Calvert-Lewin has been under the heavy spotlight, having scored an impressive 29 goals in 69 appearances at Goodison Park. This year, he had a brilliant Premier League season, which was capped off by a call-up to England’s European Championship squad. Thus, it is safe to say that the 24-year-old striker is only headed in one direction.
The report further suggested that ‘Arsenal are looking to revamp their attacking line if they can get players out and they are admirers of Calvert-Lewin.’ The most likely departures from the Gunners forward line are Alexander Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah, whom both have a single year left on their current deals.
A fortnight ago, The Atheltic reported that Arsenal had shockingly handed a contract extension to Nketiah to preserve his market value. However, the U21 England international is unlikely to sign one. Meanwhile, talks with Arsenal’s top scorer in the 2020/21 campaign Lacazette are yet to take place. Both can be moved on if the right offer comes in.
The money generated from the sales can be used to acquire the services of Calvert-Lewin. Going into the new season, with Aubameyang as the only senior centre-forward, doesn’t seem rational. The Everton striker’s Premier League experience and homegrown quota might turn out to be deciding factors for the North London outfit’s chase for a second striker.
Most league non-penalty goals and assists from England attackers in last three seasons:
1. Jadon Sancho (77)
2. Harry Kane (68)
3. Raheem Sterling (64)
4. Marcus Rashford (54)
5. Jack Grealish (42)
6. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (38)
7. Phil Foden (22)— Grace Robertson 🏳️⚧️ (@GraceOnFootball) June 20, 2021
In other words, he naturally holds a higher appeal to other players such as Frankfurt’s Andre Silva, Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak, and Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard, who all have been heavily linked with the switch to the Emirates.
Although the 24-year-old signed a new contract at Goodison Park in March 2020 that ties him to the club until 2025, it isn’t supposed to be a hindering block for the Gunners. Reports suggest that the Toffees could be willing to cash in on him if the right offer arrives.
Read More:
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- Three Major Signings Expected Within a Week; Arsenal Preparing for Major Changes to the Squad
- Arsenal Targeting £34m Bundesliga Hitman; is he the Ideal Lacazette Replacement?
Personal Viewpoint: If Arsenal sign Calvert-Lewin, they can do a lot good than bad. The striker has a good aerial presence, which cannot be said of Aubameyang as well as Lacazette. The England international can also hold up the ball and can act as a target man, which Arsenal have missed since selling Olivier Giroud at the start of 2018. But the main sticking point for me is the price tag.
The reported asking price of £50 million feels too much, especially when there are a lot of strikers of similar calibre available at a considerably lower price. If Everton are genuinely interested in Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland Niles, a swap should be considered to sweeten the deal. The deal is nowhere close to being completed and hence it may require a bit of patience from the Arsenal supporters.
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