Newcastle United close to signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin – Report | OneFootball

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is close to becoming a Newcastle United player.

That comes via an exclusive from The Telegraph on Saturday morning.

They say their information is that talks have been going on these past few weeks between the two clubs and Newcastle United are confident that they will get the striker.

A final fee isn’t in place yet but Dominic Calvert-Lewin has refused to sign a new contract at Everton, as he is keen on a move to St James’ Park, according to the report.

With only 12 months left on the striker’s contract at Goodison, Everton have to sell, or else risk banking no transfer fee at all for one of their main assets.

Whilst Friday brought news that Everton could be closing in on getting new owners, the fact remains that even if that happens ahead of the new season, their financial situation will still  be dire, including in relation to PSR. Basically, no way can they mess around and keep Dominic Calvert-Lewin at the club, if the striker wants to leave, when keeping him would almost certainly see it costing them tens of millions.

The Telegraph have reported for some time Eddie Howe and Newcastle United’s interest in the striker and this summer stated Dominic Calvert-Lewin was Howe’s top target to bring in up front.

It seems a long time ago now but Dominic Calvert-Lewin picked up 11 England caps in 2020 and 2021, off the back of scoring 29 goals in 62 Premier League starts (plus seven sub appearances) across the 2019/20 and 2020/21 Premier League seasons.

Injuries intervened and the next two seasons only brought seven PL goals, with only 15 Premier League starts in each of the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons.

Last season still only brought seven Premier League goals but there again, he was playing for a desperate Everton side playing ultra-negative football under Sean Dyche. Only rock bottom Sheffield United scored less than Everton’s 40 PL goals.

The biggest plus was that Dominic Calvert-Lewin seems to have sorted himself out in terms of free from injury, he played in 38 games last season in all competitions, starting in 32 of them.

The striker doesn’t turn 28 until March 2025 so whilst he is older than the profile of Newcastle United’s usual signings these days, he should still have his best years ahead of him.

The Telegraph say their info is that Eddie Howe believes that he can get Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring plenty more goals, playing in a more progressing team such as Newcastle United with the emphasis on attack and creating chances.

The belief also that whilst Dominic Calvert-Lewin would be coming in primarily as back up for Alexander Isak, Newcastle United also thinking the two could play together.

It would appear all but guaranteed, that if indeed Dominic Calvert-Lewin was coming in, then surely we would see Callum Wilson leaving to make way.

A big act to follow if this is the case, as these past three seasons, we have the following stats for the two strikers:

Callum Wilson – 69 Premier League appearances (46 starts, 23 as a sub) scoring 35 goals

Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 66 Premier League appearances (56 starts, 10 as a sub) scoring 14 goals

When it comes to number of PL minutes these past three seasons:

Callum Wilson – 4,234 Premier League minutes, scoring on average a goal every 120 minutes.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 4,651 Premier League minutes, scoring on average a goal every 332 minutes.

The stats are very similar over the last three years in terms of premier League appearances and minutes on the pitch BUT very different when it comes to… scoring goals.

When it comes to goal per PL minutes, Callum Wilson almost three times as prolific as Dominic Calvert-Lewin these past three seasons.

As things stand, Callum Wilson also has only one year left on his contract. Whilst fact is that he will turn 33 before Calvert-Lewin turns 28.

So Dominic Calvert-Lewin could/would be a signing for the here and now, as well as the years ahead.

Whilst I do think the stats above for the last three years are very valid, there are encouraging signs for the Everton striker staying fit and available now, plus able to score a significant number of goals once again if getting the chances.

Callum Wilson on the other hand, whilst still looking a goal threat when on the pitch, has played less and less minutes.

He played 1,885 PL minutes in the 2022/23 season, only 983 PL minutes last season, as he made just the nine Premier League starts and 11 sub appearances.

An interesting situation to keep an eye on in the days and weeks ahead, with both players.