Dominic Calvert-Lewin agrees to join Leeds after Man Utd warned off transfer

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is poised to join Leeds after his summer search for a new club finally yielded a breakthrough.

Calvert-Lewin has been looking for a new team after leaving Everton as a free agent on July 1. The 28-year-old striker spent nine years on the books at Goodison Park, scoring 71 goals in 274 appearances for Everton, but has struggled with injuries.

He was linked with moves to Manchester United and Newcastle, but nothing materialised. Calvert-Lewin reportedly took the step of dismissing his agent to speed up the process and he now appears to have found a new home at Leeds.

The Athletic reports that he has agreed terms in principle with the newly-promoted Premier League side and will undergo a medical. His lack of an agent will mean that Calvert-Lewin will be leading negotiations himself with Leeds, where he will compete with Joel Piroe and Lukas Nmecha for a place in Daniel Farke’s side.

READ MORE: Transfer news LIVE: Man City move for Donnarumma, Liverpool pursue two deals after Isak call, Man Utd latest

READ MORE: Marcus Rashford says Man Utd in 'no man's land' as 'reactionary' Ruben Amorim plan questioned

He was offered a new contract by Everton last summer, but an agreement was never reached and, after another difficult campaign, the two parted company on good terms. “This isn’t something I chose lightly,” he said after leaving.

“Everton has been my home since I was 19 years old. It’s the place that saw potential in me, challenged me to grow, and shaped me both as a footballer and as a man.”

His move to Leeds will please Rio Ferdinand, who had been baffled when the Red Devils were linked with a move for the striker, who has four goals in 11 appearances for England. Speaking on his podcast, he said: “Dominic Calvert-Lewin cannot stay fit. Why are you bringing him into this club?

“This club is built on the academy. You have Chido Obi just sitting there. Play him if you're going to think about five or six games. Not somebody who is older and cannot stay fit.” United have since signed Benjamin Sesko, in a £74million deal from RB Leipzig, to play alongside Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.

The major black mark against Calvert-Lewin has always been his injury record. He played just 26 times for Everton, scoring three times, last season and David Moyes admitted that his difficulties in staying fit were the main reason behind his departure.

“I'll make the final decision, but Dom has to show us he's robust and can be fit to play,” he said in May. “Undoubtedly he's got qualities other strikers don't have, and he has to show us all when he gets the opportunities that he'll take it. We need him to be ready to train, play, be competitive in more games than he's been available for.”

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.