'Everton accelerate deal to sign striker after huge Calvert-Lewin blow'

Everton are set to accelerate their attempts to sign a new striker in the next week after Dominic Calvert-Lewin suffered a new injury blow.

This is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the club have multiple irons in the fire in the window's closing stages.

Brown told Football Insider in November that Everton are working on a deal to sign a new striker in the January transfer window after struggling in front of goal.

David Moyes has since confirmed that Calvert-Lewin's issue is with his hamstring, and his reaction was "of genuine concern" following his withdrawal against Brighton.

Brown has insisted losing their starting striker will be a "huge blow" for the Toffees, but will not affect their transfer plans other than increasing their efforts.

A striker had been a primary target this month regardless of their forwards' availability, but has now become a matter of urgency for the transfer team.

Everton step up striker chase in transfer window closing stages

Brown told Football Insider last week that the Toffees have been plotting to sell Beto this month on top of their attempts to land a new forward.

Now, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that he would be "stunned" if a new striker wasn't signed before the window closes.

"I think they were going to sign a new striker anyway," he told Football Insider.

"They've gone down this road with Calvert-Lewin for long enough, he picks up an injury, comes back, doesn't quite perform, then it happens again.

"It was a great performance for Moysey against Brighton, but he knows he needs a new striker.

"It's a position they've needed to strengthen for some time.

"If Calvert-Lewin is out for a while, it only means they're going to need to act faster.

"They need somebody in before the end of the window and I'm sure they'll be putting in the work to make that happen."

In other news, cut-price Kyle Walker-Peters deal on cards at Everton.

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