Dominic Calvert-Lewin is a transfer target who has been mooted by a number of clubs, including Newcastle United, in recent months – but the new team reportedly joining the race to sign the striker is Crystal Palace, with Everton wary of selling. as the striker enters the final 12 months of his contract on Merseyside.
Calvert-Lewin has been Everton’s top scorer for half a decade, but despite being in the form of his life under Carlo Ancelotti – who described him as a “complete” player – he has been plagued by injury problems. And despite it being Sean Dyche’s man, the Toffees could look to sell in the summer. That has caught the attention of Palace and a move to the capital could happen if Palace decide to make a move in the final two weeks of the transfer window as time runs out.
Crystal Palace “I’m Interested” Calvert-Lewin
The striker has suitors from all over the Premier League
A report from Teamtalk says that Everton have drawn up a shortlist of attacking targets should any of Calvert-Lewin, Beto or Neal Maupay leave the club in the summer, although Calvert-Lewin remains the Toffees’ leading goalscorer.
He has just 12 months left on his contract at Goodison Park in their final season at the Merseyside relic, which has seen Palace interested in him as a possible move alongside Manchester United, Newcastle United and Bournemouth, while Everton could still be paid for their services.
Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah has gradually moved up the shortlist of attacking targets, although the Gunners want £30m to part with the striker, while Almeria frontman Largie Ramazani is also on their dream target list.
That would give Palace the impetus to try and sign the former England international, with Calvert-Lewin having not found a way back under Gareth Southgate since 2021 – and with just 14 goals in the last three Premier League seasons combined, it could be a long, long way back in the Three Lions lineup for the Sheffield-born star.
Palace are looking to make a serious push into the top half this season after a promising finish last season under Oliver Glasner, which could mean they are looking for established players of the caliber of Calvert-Lewin to guide them through that experience.
Calvert-Lewin would give Palace a different approach
The striker is different from their current options
Jean-Philippe Mateta is undoubtedly Selhurst Park’s top scorer after a stunning second half of the season under the Austrian coach, but Odsonne Edouard has disappointed the club’s fans with some poor performances in recent months – and with Ismaila Sarr and Jordan Ayew preferred as wingers, there is room for another tall man who can come in and challenge the fiery Frenchman for a starting spot.
Calvert-Lewin, who could cost £40m, would offer Palace something different and give Glasner a more pragmatic approach if required. He won the most aerial duels of any Premier League player other than his team-mate James Tarkowski last season, and with his ability to win shots to give Palace momentum in the final third, Calvert-Lewin’s strikes from outside the area would Eberechi Eze and Palace’s other creators more possession in the final third when needed.