Eddie Howe's 'a lot of money' worry could come true as £37m Newcastle transfer demand emerges

Eddie Howe recently voiced his concern that replacing Callum Wilson and his excellent Premier League strike rate would Newcastle United 'a lot of money' this summer. In the coming days and weeks we may just see that worry come to fruition as the Magpies go in search of added attacking firepower.

Wilson's exit is far from confirmed but a host of clubs hold serious interest in his services. In turn, Newcastle are in negotiations with Dominic Calvert-Lewin over a move for the Everton forward.

The Toffees know they must offload some talent before the June 30 profit and sustainability deadline and Calvert-Lewin is one star who could be sacrificed. Entering the final year of his contract, there is some hope on Tyneside Newcastle could pull off a cut-price deal - but reports emerging on Merseyside over the weekend suggest Everton may demand £37m for the attacker.

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That is a fee that will cause eyes to water inside boardrooms at St James' Park and across the north east given Calvert-Lewin's injury record in recent seasons and goal record in previous campaigns. There is some suggestion given Yankuba Minteh may end up heading in the opposite direction amid Newcastle's £40m valuation of the 19-year-old, that is why Everton will try and bring in a similar amount for one of their prized assets as they seek to balance the books.

Calvert-Lewin featured 38 times last season, managing a steady campaign with only minor injuries. The Goodison Park favourite netted eight times, two less than Wilson who he could end up replacing as Alexander Isak's backup.

Calvert-Lewin is five years Wilson's junior, however, and has enjoyed stellar periods in front of goal in the past. With the right manager and coaching, there is no reason he couldn't be a major success for Newcastle if remaining fit.

However, Howe's worry concerning paying top dollar for Wilson replacement looks like it may come true this summer - especially given the 32-year-old Newcastle No 9 will likely only attract a maximum fee of £15m should he leave this summer.

"It's undoubted how I feel about Callum, how I feel about his qualities and what he can offer the team," Howe said earlier this year. "If you lose a player of that quality, to then find a player of equal standard will cost the club a lot of money.

"That's always the big talking point about any business we do in the summer. If you lose a player, how can you replace him with the same quality with Financial Fair Play implications around the corner?"