Newcastle United are reportedly set to make an audacious bid to sign Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin this summer as their search for a centre-forward addition hots up.

What's the word?

As per The Telegraph, the Magpies 'will launch' a bid to prise the 25-year-old away from Goodison Park in the upcoming transfer window, with the Tynesiders believing that a deal can progress 'rapidly' now that the Toffees are likely to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

Previous reports had suggested it could take as much as £60m to secure the 11-cap international's services with three years still left on his existing deal, with a reduction in that asking price likely to have only been caused by Frank Lampard's side dropping to the Championship.

It would appear that a new centre-forward is high on the priority list for Eddie Howe and co this summer, amid reports also linking the St James' Park outfit to Reims youngster Hugo Ekitike and Benfica's Darwin Nunez.

Better than Wood

The club's need for a new striker has been heightened by the failings of January arrival Chris Wood. The former Burnley marksman, who joined in a sizeable £25m deal in the winter, has yet to prove he is anything other than just a temporary, albeit expensive, fix.

A reliable goalscorer during his days at Turf Moor, with 53 in 165 games in all competitions for the club, the New Zealand international had appeared an astute capture to help Howe's men stave off the drop, although he has since proven more of a hindrance than a help despite the club's impressive run of form.

In his 16 Premier League outings for his current club this term - 15 of which have come as starts - the 30-year-old has netted just twice so far, while his style of play seemingly appears at odds with the progressive approach of his manager, having recorded a mere 52.8% pass success rate.

In need of a quality and more youthful upgrade, in Calvert-Lewin the club have found their ideal fit, the 25-year-old having proven himself to be both a real handful in attack and a notable finisher in recent years.

Although the current campaign has been a frustrating one, with the 25-year-old scored just three times in 14 league games during an injury-hit season, the £37.8m-rated gem had been in prolific form prior to 2021/22, netting 29 top-flight goals across the previous two seasons.

Such form has seen Everton team-mate Richarlison dub the former Sheffield United man a "nightmare" to play against.He compared him to Portuguese sensation Cristiano Ronaldo for his impressive leap, with the athletic 6 foot 2 marksman proving a real "pest" for opposition defenders, according to Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate.

Despite his frustrations this term, the £72k-per-week ace remains a real talent and someone that can lead the line under Howe for years to come, with PIF needing to ensure they go all-out with their bid to drag him away from Lampard's charges.

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