Man United 'hold internal discussions' over signing Premier League striker

Manchester United have reportedly considered the possibility of signing Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin this summer.

The Red Devils have completed four signings so far this summer, most recently confirming the additions of defensive duo Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich for a combined fee which could rise to almost £60m.

Earlier this summer, Erik ten Hag's side recruited striker Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna for around £42m and centre-back Leny Yoro from Lille for a fee in the region of £52m.

Man United have also been linked with Brentford's Ivan Toney, while they are allegedly prepared to submit a third bid worth £60m for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, having already seen two bids worth £35m and £50m swiftly rejected by the Toffees this summer.

Branthwaite is thought to be high on Man United's list of targets, but the 22-year-old is not the only Everton player on the Red Devils' radar.

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Man United discuss potential Calvert-Lewin signing

According to Sky Sports News reporter Dharmesh Sheth, Everton striker Calvert-Lewin is one of a number of forwards that have been discussed internally by Man United in this transfer window.

As things stand, recruiting a new centre-forward is not a priority for the Red Devils, though, as they have already strengthened in that department with the capture of Zirkzee.

It is claimed that Man United are 'unlikely' to reinforce their frontline again this summer, unless there are sales in the forward area, although Sheth believes that Calvert-Lewin's situation is still one to watch as there could yet be business done by Ten Hag's side departure-wise.

Which attackers could leave Man United?

While new recruit Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund are both considered as key figures under Ten Hag going forward, along with winger Alejandro Garnacho, speculation has been rife regarding the long-term futures of both Antony and Marcus Rashford.

Both players are expected to remain at Old Trafford this summer, but they have attracted interest from clubs abroad; Antony has been linked with Saudi Pro League clubs, while Paris Saint-Germain are thought to be long-term admirers of Rashford.

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Dyche keen for Calvert-Lewin to rediscover goalscoring form

Calvert-Lewin, who was linked with Newcastle United earlier this summer, endured a frustrating 2023-24 season in front of goal and went 18 consecutive Premier League games without a goal before ending the campaign with seven strikes in 32 appearances.

The 27-year-old has entered the final year of his contract at Goodison Park, but he has taken part in pre-season with the Toffees and manager Sean Dyche is keen to help the striker get back to his best.

"I want him to get back to the days when he played like a centre-forward in the simplicity - running long, running hard and being a handful and the weapon he is because he can score goals," Dyche told reporters earlier this summer as quoted by the Liverpool Echo.

"He certainly looked sharp today (against Roma) and well in himself. We're still monitoring him, making sure. We could have given him 90-odd minutes today, to be fair to him he didn't want to come off but I thought it was appropriate. He got his goal, played hard again, played well. We want the best for him and he wants the best for us."

Dyche added: "There is a lot more detail to it - the basic stuff. Can he hold it up, stretch the pitch, get in the box and score goals? Trying to just get him back to that. Now, he's worked hard to get back to that but he's shown very strong signs this pre-season he is going to do that. When he does that, of course, we all know what a player he is."

Calvert-Lewin has scored a total of 68 goals in 247 appearances for Everton across all competitions since joining the club in 2016, including 21 strikes in 39 games during his best scoring season with the club in 2020-21.

Written by
Oliver Thomas