Paul Joyce: Everton now plan sell another star amid takeover collapse

Everton will now be looking to offload Dominic Calvert-Lewin in addition to the deal to sell Amadou Onana to Aston Villa, according to Paul Joyce.

The Times journalist reported via the paper’s website on 19 July after Dan Friedkin walked away from his takeover bid that the club are still in the process of finalising the Belgian midfielder’s £50million exit.

But striker Calvert-Lewin isn’t expected to sign a new contract thanks to the ownership uncertainty and having entered the final year of his current deal the Toffees don’t want to lose him for nothing next summer.

Everton will listen to offers for the 27-year-old and Newcastle could be alerted to the situation after longstanding interest.

Friedkin’s takeover fell through based on uncertainty around the debt owed to 777 Partners and A-Cap after the American carried out due diligence [The Athletic, 19 July].

Dominic Calvert-Lewin to be sold by Everton

Sufficient progress on the Friedkin takeover was looking like the only route left to extending Calvert-Lewin’s stay on Merseyside as he was said to have previously turned down an extension offer [TEAMtalk, 9 July].

So now that has dramatically fallen apart there is little surprise Kevin Thelwell will need to find a buyer for the Toffees number nine.

Everton insider Bryan King exclusively told Goodison News on 7 July that the takeover hit a “stumbling block” due to the money that was owed to 777 Partners.

Losing the England international’s goals will likely be more of a blow to Sean Dyche than Onana’s exit since the latter was not an automatic starter under the manager.

But Everton will also struggle to get a top fee if club’s know they need to sell so the reported £40m asking price [talkSPORT, 16 July] seems overly hopeful.

He bounced back last season thanks to fitness management which Sean Dyche hopes to employ again if Dele Alli re-signs [Liverpool Echo, 12 July] but Calvert-Lewin has a poor recent injury record and buyers will expect a discount based on the shortness of his remaining contract.

Manchester United were planning to knock down Jarrad Branthwaite’s price tag based on financial uncertainty and although the club held out in the face of two bids it would be far harder to do so with the centre-forward.

In other Everton news, an update on Andy Bell and George Downing has emerged after the takeover collapse.

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