Newcastle United plan to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a free transfer at the end of the season.
That is according to former Manchester United and Blackburn senior scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected in the industry and told Football Insider that the trade would make sense for all parties.
The 27-year-old’s likely free agent status makes him the ideal alternative for Eddie Howe’s club, which is still struggling financially due to profit and sustainability constraints.
That, combined with his Premier League experience and quality, has earned him a spot as one of their top targets for attacking depth.
Alexander Isak remains Newcastle’s first-choice striker, but with Callum Wilson due to leave at the end of his contract, Calvert-Lewin is someone they will try to sign.
Brown previously told Football Insider that David Moyes is planning a last-ditch effort to persuade the striker to stay at Goodison Park beyond the conclusion of the season.
However, his contract is set to expire at the end of the current season, and the Magpies are believed to be one of several clubs monitoring his position.
Newcastle United ‘all over’ The Dominic Calvert-Lewin transaction
According to Football Insider, Newcastle see Calvert-Lewin as “the perfect Wilson replacement” and plan to sign him at the conclusion of the season.
Brown, who has almost a decade of expertise in top-level player recruitment after working at Manchester United during their most successful period, felt that the striker is the ideal option to give depth behind Isak in Howe’s squad.
“I believe it is time for him to move on from Everton,” he told Football Insider.
“If he becomes available on a free transfer, Newcastle will be a contender since they lack depth in terms of great strikers.
“He’ll definitely be below Isak in the pecking order, but he’s a better alternative than Wilson, and as we’ve previously stated, it appears that he’s departing.
“If they look elsewhere for that type of option, how many strikers with his experience and quality are available at a reasonable price?”
“Obviously, the fact that it is a free transfer will benefit Newcastle’s finances.
“That’s the primary issue with Newcastle; they’re having difficulty spending money.
“So, when a striker like that becomes available for free, I anticipate them to be all over it.
“That looks like one they’ll be pushing to get over the line at the end of the season because it makes sense for all parties.”
