Everton to ‘bite the bullet’ and reject ‘£15m Calvert-Lewin offer’ – O’Rourke
Everton will reject offers for Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the January transfer window despite his contract situation, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that Everton will have to “bite the bullet” of losing the striker on a free in favour of keeping him for the remainder of the season.
Football Insider revealed that Newcastle view the 27-year-old as the perfect replacement for Callum Wilson and will move to sign him for free upon the expiry of his contract.
David Moyes’ side are expected to demand £15million to open talks over Calvert-Lewin’s exit, but remain reluctant to see him leave as they feel they cannot afford to lose him.
This comes amid ongoing speculation about the future of Beto, with the Toffees leaning in favour of letting the Portuguese leave this month rather than Calvert-Lewin.
Despite the striker’s lacklustre performances in front of goal this season, Everton are determined that he will be the man to lead the line in their fight against relegation.
Everton make Dominic Calvert-Lewin exit decision after Beto news
Football Insider exclusively revealed in October that Beto was considering leaving Goodison Park in the January transfer window in search of first-team football.
With speculation rife about his future, there is a feeling that Everton will only let one of their two strikers leave as they do not want to be forced into the transfer market.
Calvert-Lewin has been a source of frustration for supporters this season after scoring just twice in 20 games, while he missed a huge chance in the dying stages of their 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa.
However, newly-appointed manager Moyes remains keen for the Englishman to lead the line as he did under Sean Dyche, with his hold-up play viewed as a valuable asset.
They had been desperate for the striker to extend his stay at Goodison Park, but after multiple new contract offers were rejected, there is an acceptance that he will leave for free in the summer.
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