Newcastle United are in the market for a striker this summer, with Callum Wilson looking likely to depart.
The 32-year-old’s future has been a hot topic of debate as of late, with Eddie Howe eager to keep Callum Wilson at St James’ Park. However, that is not a view held by everyone at Newcastle United, with club officials believing now is the time to say goodbye.
And it looks like that will be the way things go, with Wilson now viewed as likely to leave the club this summer.
That will mean a replacement arrives, which will be easier said than done. Howe has already warned that bringing in a replacement could be very costly, but now a target that might buck that trend has emerged.
Newcastle United eye Callum Wilson replacement
It was reported on Thursday that Newcastle United are considering trying to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin from Everton.
The 27-year-old is a long-term target for the Magpies, and is viewed as someone who Howe could get a lot more out of after a tough couple of years at Goodison Park.
It would not necessarily be a glamorous signing, but HITC Football insider Graeme Bailey has told Geordie Boot Boys that he thinks Calvert-Lewin could be an ideal candidate to replace Callum Wilson in the current Newcastle United squad.
“Eddie Howe has liked him for a lot of years,” he said.
“When he first came in at Newcastle, he wanted him.
“I firmly believe Calvert-Lewin is a player that Eddie Howe thinks he can get a lot more out of.
“It depends on price, but if Wilson goes, do I see Calvert-Lewin coming in to replace him? I think I do.”
Dominic Calvert-Lewin does not initially sound exciting
On the face of it, replacing Newcastle’s second highest scorer in Premier League history with a man who has scored 14 league goals in his last three seasons hardly looks like good business. But that does not tell the whole story.
Calvert-Lewin has been part of a struggling Everton team, while he has also had injury issues. Now, the last thing we need is another player who can’t stay fit, but those problems appear to be behind the England international.
He made 38 appearances in all competitions this season, while he netted eight goals in an improving Everton side. It is nothing particularly special, but it is an improvement on the two years prior when he was only fit for half the season.
Why Calvert-Lewin could be a good replacement for Callum Wilson
Standing at 6ft 2in tall, Calvert-Lewin is a physical striker and can dominate defenders when he is in the mood. Gary Neville recently called him a ‘bully’, and he means that in a positive way!
Wilson is also a physical striker, so replacing him for Calvert-Lewin would almost be like-for-like. We would also be getting someone who is five years younger, which is a bonus.
And money has to come into it as well. While this is our last chance to get a bit of cash back on Wilson, the same goes for Calvert-Lewin. His contract also expires in 2025, and Newcastle could be well-placed to grab a bargain given the Toffees’ financial situation. In short, he would be a cheaper replacement for Wilson, allowing Newcastle to spend more money elsewhere.
While signing someone like Benjamin Sesko would be much more exciting, it would also present other challenges. It is difficult to see how Eddie Howe could give him the minutes he would need, given the fact that Alexander Isak will be Newcastle’s main striker.
In contrast, Calvert-Lewin looks ideal to act as an understudy. And that is what the Magpies need, given the fact they already have a world class forward leading the line.
While a deal for Calvert-Lewin would likely receive widespread criticism, it actually could make a lot of sense.
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