DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN has risen to the top of Manchester United’s summer hit list.
The Everton striker had been seen within Old Trafford as a back-up plan during the pursuit of Erling Haaland.
Calvert-Lewin has risen to the top of Manchester United’s summer hit listCredit: Getty – Contributor
Now he is emerging as THE plan after United refused to be held to ransom by Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola over Haaland.
Jadon Sancho is also a United target but there is major competition for his signature and Chelsea are leading the race for a player valued at over £100m.
Calvert-Lewin, 22, would cost around £50m, almost treble the £18M release clause that saw Norwegian whizz-kid Haaland move to Borussia Dortmund.
Ten days earlier United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who held personal talks with Haaland and his father Alf-Inge, believed he had landed his fellow countryman.
But United’s refusal to get involved with Raiola and Haaland in what would have effectively been a third party ownership agreement means Calvert-Lewin has become a priority target.
New Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti has admitted he was looking at Calvert-Lewin when he was Napoli boss and added: “There are a lot of people who have eyes on him”.
The six foot two inch striker has been on Solskjaer’s radar for months.
While there has been talk that the Goodison star’s team mate Richarlison was a leading man on the Theatre of Dreams wish list DCL was always seen as having the potential to replace Romelu Lukaku as a physical presence.
Any move for him will be met with stern opposition by new Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti who has admitted he was a big admirer while still in charge of his last club Napoli.
The Italian knows he was not the only one and says : “There are a lot of people who have eyes on him.”
None more so than Solskjaer and United’s acquisition team who started taking an interest last season once it became clear that Lukaku would be allowed to leave.
He signed for Inter Milan for £75M while eyes were now very much on Calvert-Lewin.
Haaland’s stunning emergence and his friendship with Solskjaer meant Sheffield – born Calvert-Lewin went on the back burner.
Yet United already knew he ticked all of their boxes in terms of their transfer policy – English – born, under the age of 24 and a hard worker as well as open to learning.
What is more they know he is not part of football’s bling culture and is a quiet, unassuming person.
He also came through at Sheffield United – who he supports – somewhere seen as providing the proper grounding for youngsters.
Old Trafford’s £80M world record defender Harry Maguire started with the Blades and Dean Henderson, considered to be David De Gea’s ultimate successor, is on loan at Bramall Lane for a second successive season.
Calvert – Lewin will take some getting out of Goodison.
Ancelotti loves him more than ever now given that he grabbed the winner in his first game in charge, a 1 – 0 victory over Burnley.
He followed that up with both goals in the 2 – 1 Boxing Day success against Newcastle United.
He now has 8 goals in his last 14 Prem appearances and ten in all competitions, the 2017 England U20 World Cup winner’s best haul since leaving the Blades in 2016 for £1.5M.
Calvert-Lewin also has three years of his contract to run while thanks to majority owner Farhad Moshiri Everton are a rich club who do not need to sell their stars – as once was the case when United bought a young Wayne Rooney.
None of that has put off the Old Trafford club who believe the big striker would be a perfect fit alongside Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Dan James and 18 year old starlet Mason Greenwood.
Erling Haaland finally ended speculation by joining DortmundCredit: AFP
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
