Connor O’Neill has admitted that he fears Everton could receive a last-minute transfer offer for Dominic Calvert-Lewin ahead of the 30 August deadline.
The England international has entered the final year of his contract with the Toffees and has caught the eye of several clubs, including Newcastle United, in the summer transfer window [Graeme Bailey, 15 August].
While Liverpool Echo journalist O’Neill has urged the Blues to reject any late approaches for the striker’s signature, he thinks somebody may stage a late push to tempt him away from Goodison Park.
Speaking on The Royal Blue podcast (23 August, 19:50) he said: “I do feel that we’re in for a nervy few days because I’ve long had a thing in my mind that someone will come forward with some sort of offer.
“Let’s be honest if Everton were a top six club and you look at the situation with Calvert-Lewin, we’d probably all be sitting here now going, we should make a little move for him. A £15million or £20million bid, a little bit below value, we might get something out of that.
“I have a fear that could happen. I hope it doesn’t because I think it would be great if that speculation didn’t exist, but I think something like that could happen.
I think the club have to be bold and brave and just say no and accept that he could go for free next year, but staying up is the priority.”
Will Dominic Calvert-Lewin exit Everton amid transfer rumours?
While time is running out for clubs to make their move to try and sign Calvert-Lewin, that doesn’t mean that the Toffees won’t have to field some last-minute approaches as teams look to strengthen their forward line.
There is a feeling that the England international could well be available for a cut-price and while it is easy to suggest the Blues should reject any low offers, they may not be in a financial position to be able to do so.
Any money earned through the sale of the striker could help balance the books as takeover uncertainty remains at Goodison Park. Ultimately, it is down to the powers at be to decide whether they can survive in the Premier League without his services.
Hopefully, no last-minute bids will be made for his signature and all this uncertainty and speculation can be put to one side until the January window.
But judging by Everton’s track record, these things never tend to end as you’d expect.
