Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s crucial goal to ensure Everton’s Premier League place ahead of next season showed exactly what Arsenal need. But, it also meant an increase on his summer transfer price.
The Englishman scored the winner in a 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace which prevented Everton from potentially getting relegated at the end of the season when they play Arsenal in the final fixture.
The Gunners had been heavily linked with a move for Calvert-Lewin, and if Edu was to pursue a deal for the forward with Everton relegated, then it would have been likely that Arsenal could acquire him for a cut-price fee, but this is no longer the case.
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Edu can look to exploit the transfer market to unlock a new attacking style, which will elevate Arteta’s team in the final third if they can sign a striker with an aerial presence. Calvert-Lewin would be the perfect signing to fill this void, as he has the necessary height and aerial dominance alongside the Premier League experience. He has scored 44 Premier League goals so far in his career, with 19 coming from his head.
According to The Mirror, Newcastle are planning to rival Arsenal this summer in a battle to sign Calvert-Lewin from Everton. There is a £60m price tag that is being quoted for him, and that price is now likely to stick after the Toffees confirmed their status in the Premier League ahead of next season.
Arsenal will be in desperate need of a new striker in the summer transfer window, with both Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah's days looking increasingly numbered. Both players’ contracts are set to expire at the end of the season and they have been linked with a move away from the club.
Crystal Palace are hopeful of signing Nketiah on a free transfer in the summer. Patrick Vieira failed to bring him at the start of this season, with the two clubs unable to agree on a fee, but this will no longer be an issue.
If he does depart from the club, along with Lacazette, then Folarin Balogun would be the only remaining striker at the club, meaning two striker signings may be required to combat the need for greater squad depth with Arsenal having secured a return to the Europa League.
Calvert-Lewin was a decent transfer option at the start of the season. However, this campaign has proved that Arsenal may be better to turn their attentions elsewhere after the forward suffered numerous injury issues, which has been a constant problem for Arteta’s squad this season.
However, the Englishman’s impressive headed winner for Everton against Crystal Palace on Thursday evening sent Edu a reminder about the quality he possesses. Arsenal will need to sign a striker, and Calvert-Lewin could have put himself back in the mix despite the hefty price tag.
