Calvert-Lewin 'would be silly to reject' Aston Villa as transfer approach made
Aston Villa have emerged as a potential candidate to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin after he was released by Everton.
The frontman has found himself as a free agent this summer, after spending the last nine years with the Merseysiders.
Villa have already approached Calvert-Lewin, and they are seemingly ready to fight Newcastle United and AC Milan to secure the 28-year-old's signature.
Unai Emery and Co. have struggled to add to their ranks this summer, but the former Sheffield United youngster could now represent the perfect opportunity for them to provide Ollie Watkins with some support at the top of the pitch.
This article includes exclusive comment from former Aston Villa scout Bryan King.
Aston Villa could be the perfect place for Calvert-Lewin to rebuild his career
Calvert-Lewin could be in line to earn a significant wage if he does decide to join Villa, but that will be of no great concern to the B6 outfit.
Their PSR constraints have made it very difficult for them to add to the squad this summer, so the fact that they would be able to get the striker without paying a transfer fee is a major plus next to his name.
- Calvert-Lewin started just 19 Premier League games for Everton in 2024/25
- He has not reached double figures for league goals since the 2020/21 campaign
- Injuries have badly hindered his progress since then
The frontman has struggled in recent seasons, as his influence gradually waned at Everton, largely as a result of consistent injury issues.
However, ex-Villa scout Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Villa News - believes that a move to join Emery's squad could provide Calvert-Lewin with the perfect opportunity to get his career back on track.
“He (Calvert-Lewin) is a good player," King said.
"There’s no two ways about that as long as he’s fit and he starts knocking in a few goals.
“Villa have lost Marcus Rashford, and now they have the chance to bring in a player on a free, as such, and Calvert-Lewin isn’t a bad option.
“It would be a good move for him. There’s been a lot of other clubs banded around, but that’s agent talk.
“If Villa are a serious option for him, then I think he’d be silly to turn it down because this is a chance to rebuild his career.”
Villa should show faith in Calvert-Lewin
Calvert-Lewin's injury record will understandably be a concern for Villa, given the extent to which it has limited him over the last few seasons.
| Player | Apps | Goals per 90 | Assists per 90 | G+A per 90 |
| Dominic Calvert-Lewin | 239 | 0.33 | 0.09 | 0.41 |
| Ollie Watkins | 184 | 0.44 | 0.20 | 0.64 |
| Donyell Malen | 14 | 0.88 | 0 | 0.88 |
The striker has cleared 20 starts in a single Premier League season just once in the last four campaigns, and he would likely demand heavy wages for a player who may not always be able to feature.
However, in the context of their summer, it could be a gamble worth taking for the Villans.
Calvert-Lewin has proven himself to be a capable top-flight goalscorer when he can get a sustained run of games, and he possesses the kind of ability to hold the ball up and bring others into play that Emery doesn't have within his side at the moment.
It may not be the glamour signing that many at Villa Park would have been hoping for, but Villa could certainly do a lot worse than if they choose to put their faith in Calvert-Lewin.
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