Howe's stance, Wilson debate and injury truth - Dominic Calvert Lewin Newcastle transfer verdict

Newcastle United have been linked with a surprise summer transfer move for Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The experienced forward's future is up the air with just one year remaining on his current deal at Goodison Park and no extension currently signed.

Eddie Howe has Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson as his striking options currently, with the former in fine form last season, establishing himself as the Magpies' main attacking threat. Wilson had more injury frustration but also showed his abilities on plenty of occasions.

Calvert-Lewin has had his injury issues too, although remained a key man for Everton under Sean Dyche. However, it's unlikely they will risk losing him for nothing next summer, and with FFP rules in mind, they could decide to sell now. Would that be a good move for Newcastle? Here's what our writers think.

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Lee Ryder

If Newcastle are going to lose Callum Wilson due to a sale of PSR reasons, then Calvert-Lewin certainly has the experience at 27 to come in and replace him as a second striker to Alexander Isak. The Sweden international is without doubt the first choice at Newcastle and Eddie Howe is trying to build a team around him.

Calvert-Lewin featured in 26 opening line-ups for the Toffees last season and scored seven goals so it's hardly the type of signing to get fans celebrating in the streets. But not every summer signing will be deemed marquee at Newcastle given the tight financial backdrop at St James' Park.

The No 9 has shown promise early in his career with four goals for England but his last cap came in 2021. He would only be deemed a back-up player at Newcastle this summer.

Aaron Stokes

Plenty, including myself, will point to Calvert-Lewin's injury record as a major concern as his Newcastle United move edges closer - but the truth is the Everton forward actually enjoyed a relatively injury-free campaign last term, missing six games in total, which is a rarity.

However, his record of eight goals in 38 games compared to Callum Wilson's 10 in 26 games is another cause for concern. If the Toffees forward is coming in to replace an outgoing Wilson, are the Magpies really improving their squad?

Eddie Howe has tracked Calvert-Lewin for a number of windows so knows exactly the type of striker he is chasing. The Toon boss also has a remarkable track record of making good players into great players. You have to hope he can repeat his coaching magic again but I believe NUFC are taking a big risk.

Stuart Jamieson

There's no doubt Calvert-Lewin has what it takes to score goals in the Premier League - the question is how often he would be on the pitch. Like Callum Wilson, he has struggled with terrible luck when it comes to injuries. Do Newcastle really need to swap one injury issue for another?

The price tag is potentially appealing but United would be better off targeting young talents who would be willing to play second string to Alexander Isak while they develop. The Premier League may be a squad game these days, but would Calvert-Lewin really want to swap being top dog at Everton to playing second fiddle at Newcastle?

Sean McCormick

On the face of it, potentially selling Callum Wilson this summer and replacing him with another injury prone forward with a worse goalscoring record doesn't make much sense.

But when you factor in the financial aspect of the deal and the hope Eddie Howe can help Calvert-Lewin reach the levels he reached at Everton in 2020/21 under Carlo Ancelotti which saw him named in England's European Championship squad, it begins to become a more appealing transfer.

Calvert-Lewin is a player familiar to Newcastle coach Graeme Jones, with the pair working together at England, and Howe has spoken about Newcastle's need to be 'creative' in the transfer market. As such, this seems to be a move that fits that bill.

James Smailes

Surely Calvert-Lewin knows if he comes to Newcastle United he'll be playing back-up to Alexander Isak? Why does a player who is the big fish at Everton want to come to St James' Park and with all due respect to Everton and Calvert-Lewin, get a little bit lost in what at present is a bigger pond?

I know there's a financial appeal and in terms of replacing Callum Wilson there are similarities to their game which means the shape and system doesn't need to alter, but it feels more of a sideways transfer move rather than one to take the team and squad forward. Eddie Howe is restricted in what he can spend this summer and from a financial aspect, this looks like a smart deal, but I'm yet to be convinced it is the right deal.