How Sheffield United could benefit as Newcastle United 'prepare formal bid' for Everton's England striker

The cash-rich Magpies were hoping to make Bayern Leverkusen star Moussa Diaby their latest big-money signing, but were put off by a reported £60m price tag put on the young Frenchman’s head by his club.

According to sources in the north east, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has also pencilled Calvert-Lewin’s name on his striker shortlist this summer – with national newspaper reports suggesting a formal bid is being readied by officials at St. James’ Park.

The one current Blade Bogle selected in his Derby-dominated dream team

With the England man under contract at Goodison Park until 2025, and Everton unlikely to be too keen on selling to a rival, it remains to be seen how much it would take to prise Calvert-Lewin away from Merseyside.

It will be many multiples of the bargain fee that took him to Everton back in 2016, although United may soon earn a second windfall courtesy of a sell-on clause which, officials at Bramall Lane privately insist, was inserted into the arrangement six years ago guaranteeing United a good chunk of any profit Everton make.

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"He trains well and we speak a lot, and he’s said nothing [about leaving],” Toffees boss Frank Lampard said of Calvert-Lewin last month.

“I’m not silly, this is football and he’s a player that would be wanted by clubs because of the level of player he is.

“There are not many strikers out there. They cost a lot of money. I am not worried about him at all. I want to take this club forward. Players like Dominic help that.”

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