Newcastle United are reportedly in talks with Everton over a permanent move for long-standing target Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The 27-year-old has spent the last eight seasons at Goodison Park, scoring 68 goals and registering 18 assists in 247 appearances across all competitions.
Calvert-Lewin has been hampered with injuries in recent seasons, but he managed to score seven goals in 32 Premier League games in 2023-24 to help the Toffees avoid relegation and climb to 15th place.
The 11-cap England international ended a 23-game goal drought when he scored a late penalty to rescue a point in Everton's 1-1 draw at Newcastle in April.
Now, Calvert-Lewin is being tipped to make the switch to St James' Park as he enters the final year of his contract on Merseyside.
![Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates scoring their first goal on April 2, 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/25/dominic-calvert-lewin.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates scoring their first goal on April 2, 2024 [IMAGO]")
© Imago
Newcastle step up Calvert-Lewin pursuit
According to multiple reports, including one from The Telegraph, Newcastle are 'pushing ahead' with a deal to sign Calvert-Lewin and are now closing in on one of their long-standing transfer targets.
The report adds that a fee is still being negotiated between both clubs, but there is confidence that a deal can be struck for the £35m-rated striker, who is keen to make the move to Tyneside.
Although the Toffees are understood to have offered Calvert-Lewin a new contract, the prospect of representing Newcastle is said to appeal to the striker, who has been closely monitored by manager Eddie Howe for several years.
Newcastle have been 'pushing hard' to sign Calvert-Lewin for the last few weeks and they are said to be confident that he would score more than the seven league goals he registered last season in a more attack-minded team under Howe.
The Magpies' interest in Calvert-Lewin comes at a time when star striker Alexander Isak - last season's top scorer with 25 goals - has been linked with a number of top European clubs.
© Reuters
Minteh to head in the opposite direction?
In a separate deal, Everton are in talks with Newcastle over a potential loan or permanent move for in-demand teenage attacker Yankuba Minteh.
The 19-year-old Gambia international joined the Magpies for around £6m from Danish side Odense last summer before being immediately loaned out to Dutch outfit Feyenoord, where he scored 11 goals and provided six assists in 37 games across all competitions.
Newcastle are now said to be considering a host of offers for Minteh, who has been linked with several European clubs including Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, the latter now managed by former Feyenoord boss Arne Slot.
The Telegraph states that the departure of Minteh is 'imminent' and should be announced at some stage 'next week'.
It is claimed that the potential moves of Calvert-Lewin and Minteh in opposite directions would help both Newcastle and Everton with their respective financial issues around the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules.
Meanwhile, Everton have completed their first signing of the summer transfer window, recruiting 20-year-old midfielder Tim Iroegbunam from Aston Villa for a reported £9m.
