Arsenal face increased competition in the race to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin after Manchester United identified the Everton star as their ideal striker, according to The Sun.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is eager to find the Red Devils’ long-term replacement for Romelu Lukaku after renewing Edison Cavani’s contract. The Old Trafford outfit sold the Belgian to Inter Milan for £74m in 2019, but feel they are yet to secure longevity in the position.
Manchester United believe Calvert-Lewin would be the ideal option after the Everton striker enjoyed his career best campaign last season. The 24-year-old hit 21 goals and four assists in all competitions, including 16 goals in the Premier League.
Only Bruno Fernandes scored more often in the top-flight last term for the Red Devils with 18, ahead of Marcus Rashford (11), Cavani (10) and Mason Greenwood (7). Solskjaer is now lining up a move once the 24-year-old returns from his England duties at Euro 2020.
Manchester United pursuing Calvert-Lewin sees Arsenal face increased competition to sign the Everton frontman. The Telegraph claim Mikel Arteta would look to raid Goodison Park if the Gunners are able to offload enough players.
Arsenal already faced strong competition for Calvert-Lewin with Carlo Ancelotti seeking a reunion at Real Madrid. The Sun note the Italian is eying a £50m deal after walking out on the Toffees, knowing his former club have lost £240m in the past two years.
Everton had managed to fend off interest from Manchester United in Calvert-Lewin last summer by demanding £80m, per The Sun. Solskjaer eagerly wanted a deal, but Old Trafford chiefs refused to bid for a player who cost £1.5m in 2016.
Manchester United deal Arsenal increased competition for Calvert-Lewin
Arsenal will likely struggle to sign Calvert-Lewin this summer given the competing interest from Manchester United and Real Madrid. Arteta and Technical Director Edu are yet to find suitors for their unwanted players, with only David Luiz currently gone.
Meanwhile, the Red Devils have handed Solskjaer a £150m net-spend budget this summer, per ESPN. They will pay £73m of that to Borussia Dortmund for Jadon Sancho, according to The Guardian, leaving plenty for Calvert-Lewin.
Everton will not feel they have to accept lowball offers from Arsenal or Manchester United for Calvert-Lewin, either. They extended his contract to 2025 in March, and will want him to see it out after developing strongly. Mason Holgate’s praise certainly shows why, as well.
“He’s added that [consistently scoring] to his game and the other parts have always really been there,” Holgate told Sky Sports. “He works hard, he’s a big threat, he’s fast, he’s strong, can jump, he’s always had that side. But now he’s added a lot more goals into his game and people are starting to notice the other sides that he’s always done.”
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