Minteh Everton move off as Newcastle no longer keen on DCL deal

In truth, the Minteh to Everton deal was probably never really on, especially as Newcastle were looking for £40 million for the winger, a figure the Blues would not be willing or able to pay.

The only way it might conceivably have happened is if the two transfers could have been linked in some way.

Events had moved quickly though over the last few days with reports surfacing that the Gambian teenager wanted to leave Tyneside and then that his preferred destination was Goodison Park.

At the same time the Magpies were apparently very keen to bring Calvert-Lewin to St James' Park and so it seemed it was just a question of sorting out fees and terms to get that deal done.

So at one point earlier today it seemed as if such a double deal could possibly be on only for cold water to be poured on the whole situation now.

Newcastle's decision to walk away from a transfer for Calvert-Lewin - if true and other media sources still think otherwise - is a little surprising as they have been a known admirer of the 27-year-old centre-forward for some time.

Even more so because veteran striker Callum Wilson is expected to leave Tyneside this summer.

In addition, any fee for Calvert-Lewin would be considerably less than might have been the case a few years ago as his goal return has declined from it's peak in 2020-21 and he only has a year left on his contract, meaning Everton are not in a strong negotiating position, even without PSR considerations.

Of course, this new development still leaves the Toffees with a difficult decision to make regarding their ex-England international.

Do they try and persuade Calvert-Lewin again to sign the new deal they have offered him now that Newcastle are apparently not interested, or do the club still look to sell this summer?

As for alternatives to Minteh there are other wide attacking players out there who might make for more affordable options such as Marseille's lliman Ndiaye for example.

Everton have already re-signed Jack Harrison from Leeds United for another season on loan (although he won't offer the goal-scoring threat so desperately needed) and are now being linked with a move for a second Leeds forward: Wilfried Gnoto.

As many will remember the Blues pursued Gnoto for much of last summer and were apparently close to agreeing a deal for the 20-year-old Italy international, before it all fell through.

Well, now it is claimed the Toffees are going back to Elland Road for a player that they clearly wanted twelve months ago.

There is though a new manager in the dugout at Goodison and Sean Dyche clearly values wide players who can also offer defensive contribution rather than just attacking threat.

Gnoto would seem a decent bet in terms of the goal-scoring qualities Dyche's side really require, as the Italian notched ten times for Leeds in their ultimately failed promotion campaign.

With Leeds now consigned to another season in the Championship, he might well be even more keen to leave and get that chance of Premier League football.