Everton Star on United Radar Amid Premier League Interest | OneFootball

Manchester United Weigh Calvert-Lewin Move as Forward Search Continues

Financial Constraints Shape Strategy

As Manchester United navigate a complex summer window, the allure of a Premier League-tested forward on a free transfer cannot be ignored. According to Fichajes, United have “set their sights” on England international Dominic Calvert-Lewin, whose Everton contract is set to expire on June 30.

Ruben Amorim’s side are feeling the pressure of PSR (Profitability and Sustainability Rules), which dictate measured and strategic spending. Having already secured Matheus Cunha and actively pursuing Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, United’s spending threshold edges closer to the limit. That, before any player sales, narrows options further in a window where flexibility is crucial.

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Premier League Experience with Caveats

Calvert-Lewin fits a particular mould, English, experienced, and familiar with the league’s demands. He is described as “a very attractive option for several clubs” according to Fichajes, with Newcastle United, Tottenham, West Ham and Nottingham Forest also monitoring the situation closely.

At his best, Calvert-Lewin is an aerial threat and a physical presence who flourished under Carlo Ancelotti, netting 16 Premier League goals in 2020/21. But that version of the striker has been too often disrupted by injury. During the 2024/25 campaign, he missed 15 matches and lost his place in the Everton XI to Beto, a concerning trend as he approaches his 29th birthday.

Everton Prepare for Life After DCL

Everton’s movements in the market speak volumes. TEAMtalk suggests they are ready to activate Thierno Barry’s €40m (£33.7m) release clause and have shown interest in Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade. Their pursuit of replacements indicates a reluctant acceptance that Calvert-Lewin’s time at Goodison Park is nearing its conclusion.

That uncertainty opens the door for opportunists. United are “keen on the possibility of adding a player with experience in the English league without having to pay a transfer fee,” continues the Fichajes report. It’s a line that speaks to value, and risk.

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Balancing Risk and Reward

United’s shortlist for strikers remains broad. Viktor Gyokeres is a preferred option, but the £60m fee and Arsenal’s competing interest complicate matters. Jean-Philippe Mateta is another target, though Juventus and Milan are reportedly circling. In such a congested market, a free move for Calvert-Lewin, despite the fitness concerns, becomes a more palatable gamble.

Calvert-Lewin might not be the marquee name fans crave, but in a constrained window, he represents a low-cost, high-upside option if properly managed. For Amorim, who values system players with defined roles, the Everton forward’s directness and box presence could offer a different dimension.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

The potential signing of Dominic Calvert-Lewin raises a complex debate. On paper, bringing in a Premier League-hardened striker for free is appealing, especially under the shadow of PSR limits. His record under Ancelotti shows there’s a player of real quality if conditions are right.

But this is a fan base that has been burnt before by injury-prone forwards. United need someone available, not just capable. While Calvert-Lewin offers a focal point that Højlund and others might lack, supporters will question whether a player sidelined so frequently in recent seasons is worth the gamble, even at zero transfer cost.

Yet in a world where top-tier strikers command fees north of £60m, having Calvert-Lewin as part of a broader rotation could be viewed as smart business. If United can protect him physically, and use him in specific matches where his profile suits the tactical plan, the move could pay dividends.

Still, many fans will hope this is a supplementary signing, not the marquee centre-forward acquisition.