Dominic Calvert-Lewin set to leave Everton after contract talks stall

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is poised to leave Everton as contract negotiations have stalled. The 28-year-old striker, who has been a critical player for the club since joining from Sheffield United in 2016, is out of contract at the end of this month. Previously, the club had extended an offer for a new deal earlier in the season, but that was retracted following a shift in Everton’s management structure.

The situation is particularly telling as Everton appears to be looking toward new options in the transfer market. Their reported interest in young striker Liam Delap—who has since opted for a move to Chelsea for £30 million—highlights this shift in focus. Officially, Everton has communicated that they will continue discussions with Calvert-Lewin’s representatives; however, the expectation remains that the forward will begin to explore opportunities with other clubs.

As he enters free agency, Calvert-Lewin hopes his experience will render him an attractive option both domestically and internationally. Known for his incisive playing style, Calvert-Lewin gained recognition during the delayed Euro 2020 tournament and scored 16 Premier League goals in the 2020-21 season under Carlo Ancelotti. That season was a career highlight where he was tasked with operating primarily as a forward, focusing on first-time finishes and capitalizing on opportunities inside the box.

Since then, he has added 17 more top-flight goals to his tally and made a notable return from a significant hamstring injury that sidelined him for three months, just before the conclusion of last season. This injury and its aftermath have surely played a role in the uncertainty surrounding his contract situation.

Everton’s management challenges extend beyond just Calvert-Lewin. The club is also in negotiations with center-back Michael Keane, although it’s anticipated that he will seek opportunities outside of the club as well. In addition, veteran midfielder Idrissa Gueye, now 35, is in talks for a new one-year deal but is reportedly seeking a longer contract that may not meet Everton’s current plans. Meanwhile, club captain Seamus Coleman, at 36, has also been offered a playing contract despite struggling with injuries throughout the last season.

This summer’s upheaval at Everton is unprecedented. The club is in urgent need of a squad overhaul as they face the return of four players from their loan stints, including Jack Harrison, Orel Mangala, Jesper Lindstrom, and Armando Broja. The prospect of rebuilding is daunting but necessary for a team striving to build a competitive edge in the league.

In a sign of restructuring, a £12.6 million deal has been finalized with Flamengo for midfielder Charly Alcaraz, who performed well after joining the club on loan in February. Alcaraz has signed a two-year contract, with an option for Everton to extend it for an additional 12 months.

Everton is also navigating the complex landscape of player departures, with several notable figures leaving the club. Abdoulaye Doucouré has been released after rejecting a proposed pay cut. The same fate has befallen other players, including Ashley Young, Asmir Begovic, Joao Virginia, Neal Maupay, and Mason Holgate.

In the midst of this turbulence, the future of Dominic Calvert-Lewin remains uncertain, but one can hardly ignore what he has contributed to Everton over the years. As he moves into this next chapter, the footballing world is undoubtedly watching to see where his talents will be utilized next. Whether he secures a position with a rival Premier League club or seeks opportunities overseas, Calvert-Lewin has the capabilities to make an impactful return to the pitch.

The shift in dynamics at Everton serves as a reminder of the volatile nature of professional sports, where loyalties are challenged by the ever-changing landscape of contracts and management. As Calvert-Lewin embarks on this next phase of his career, fans and analysts alike will be keen to see how this story unfolds in the coming weeks.

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