Everton’s recent Merseyside derby hero, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, is reported to be in negotiations with the club over a new contract.
The 27-year-old has just one year left on his existing deal and that, combined with the ongoing concerns over the Blues’ financial situation and the likely need to secure outgoing transfers before 30 June, has led to speculation over a potential move to long-term admirers, Newcastle United, this summer.
Calvert-Lewin is highly valued by Sean Dyche, though, and is said to be very happy at the Club and he has now reportedly been offered fresh terms to keep him at Goodison Park beyond 2025.
A prescient acquistion from Sheffield United for just £1.5m in 2016, Calvert-Lewin enjoyed a prolific season under Carlo Ancelotti in the 2020-21 campaign but has been bedeviled by injuries in the years since.
However, he managed 38 appearances in all competitions this past season and shrugged off a frustrating goal drought between October and April to finish the 2023-24 campaign in good form, scoring four times and leading the line in customary fashion.
His most notable goal came against Liverpool in the 2-0 derby victory at Goodison. Speaking earlier this month, Calvert-Lewin talked about the pressure of leading the line for the Blues:
“Because I take so much pride in this role and wearing Everton’s No 9 shirt, there have been times where I’ve been as equally angry as them. I don’t mind being open about that, because I feel the same as everyone else feels through the highs and the lows. I’m only human.
“But I’m mature and experienced enough now to see the criticism for what it is and it’s from people who just care deeply. When I was a bit younger, perhaps not as much, and I’d take it more personally, but you have to go through things to gain perspectives.
“Ultimately, fans want to look on the pitch and see a reflection of themselves – they want to see players giving everything and, in my case, scoring goals. It’s part of the role – people look to me to produce big moments and to win games. I love that. I love that ‘he’s done the business for us’ kind of feeling. When there’s a situation where it’s a ‘who’s going to produce for us?’, that’s what I live for.”