Arsenal have 'cooled' their interest in Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, according to reports. The Gunners were heavily linked with a move for the England international in the summer, with plans to sign a forward come the end of the season.
It comes as Mikel Arteta is set to be left with limited centre-forward options, with Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah’s contract expiring in just a few months time. Add the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January to that and Folarin Balogun is the only natural forward option going into next season.
With that concern in mind, the summer will be a big one in terms of finding a long-term option to play at the highest level of the game, especially if Champions League qualification is secured. The need for depth and quality is clear, but it also means they have to be careful in who they decide to sign.
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That discussion was only emphasised by Arteta when discussing a lack of transfers in January, with the Gunners letting players go rather than signing reinforcements. He said: “Edu and his team have done a great job. We are very clear we only want the best people and the best players at this club. When we are in a rush and the reasons to get a player on board are not the right ones, we didn't do it."
And according to Football Insider, that ideal striking option may not be Calvert-Lewin, who has been linked with a switch to the Emirates, as well as a move to Arsenal's London rivals West Ham. The 25-year-old’s injury concerns are said to be a main point of contention for the Gunners in any deal to land him.
The striker’s fitness worries have coincided with Everton’s severe drop in form, with the Toffees looking over their shoulders at relegation with only a three point buffer. His ten appearances and three goals in the league is in stark contrast to last season’s 33 appearances and 16 goals scored.
It shows just how much quality the towering forward can have, but equally just how much of a gamble it could be. Whether Arsenal could afford to sign a striker of his calibre and risk his injury record remains to be seen, but the report suggests other targets may come first as a result.
