Mikel Arteta is a ‘huge admirer’ of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but Arsenal will find it ‘difficult’ to sign the star Everton striker during the January transfer window, according to talkSPORT.
The Gunners are monitoring Calvert-Lewin’s situation at Goodison Park this month, as they target a new centre-forward. Figures in the Emirates Stadium hierarchy are keen to stay on top of any developments on Merseyside, with hopes for Fiorentina’s Dusan Vlahovic fading.
Arsenal want to bolster their centre-forward options in the mid-season market, with doubt surrounding their current crop. Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are out of contract this summer. While CBS report Al Nassr have bid to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, too.
Arteta is driving Arsenal’s interest in striker signings to acquire a figurehead in his pursuit of Champions League qualification. But the Gunners are losing hope of adding Vlahovic in the January sales. Even though Fiorentina are willing to send the 21-year-old to north London.
Calvert-Lewin is likely to be out of Arsenal’s transfer reach, as well, while Everton are not mathematically safe from relegation. The Toffees suffered their 11th defeat of the season on Saturday to sit on the cusp of the drop zone. They have only won five of their 20 games.
Everton could make Arteta wait for Arsenal transfer of Calvert-Lewin
Arsenal are keeping tabs on Calvert-Lewin in view of a transfer, nonetheless, with Everton looking for a new manager. Arteta is a big fan of the England international, who has three goals in five Premier League appearances this season. He also scored 16 in 33 last term.
The Toffees are likely to demand around £60m to sell Calvert-Lewin, if they let him leave, per the Daily Mail. Arteta will not have to convince the 24-year-old to join, however. The Sun also note the 11-cap marksman would not need persuading to move to the Emirates.
But given Everton’s perilous league position, Arteta will likely have to wait for the summer to target a transfer of the striker Arsenal icon Ian Wright believes is the complete package.
“He does all the things a striker does,” Wright said on Wrighty’s House. “Near post, far post, link the play, unbelievable in the air, he wins his own flick-ons. And when I watched him, you think to yourself if he could add goals to his game, then we’re talking about elite.”
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