NEWCASTLE have targeted Dominic Calvert-Lewin — but are prepared to wait to get him on a free in the summer.
The Toon set their sights on the Everton striker, whose deal expires in June, although they are reluctant to pay a big fee next month.
Instead, the Geordies will put all of their cash into a major contract offer for the one-cap England man to tempt him away from Merseyside.
The 27-year-old is happy to stay in the Premier League for family reasons.
And he has snubbed approaches from abroad, where Fiorentina are keen on him.
The Italians would also offer Calvert-Lewin a huge deal to land him in the summer, with a pre- contract ready and waiting to be signed now.
But Newcastle are firm favourites and will wait, which also suits their budget plans.
Toon boss Eddie Howe may only make one serious move for a player next month and would need to sell one to bring in any more.
Ironically, Everton and Newcastle are the two Prem clubs with the most players whose contracts end in the summer.
That means they are vulnerable to swoops from overseas clubs in January.
That’s because players with just six months remaining on their contracts can negotiate pre-contract deals with clubs from other leagues.
Indeed the Prem could be one of the hardest hit top-flights in Europe.
The Toffees and the Magpies both have eight stars poised for the pre-contract countdown.
For the Toon that’s Sean Longstaff, Callum Wilson, Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles, Martin Dubravka, Emil Krafth, Mark Gillespie and John Ruddy.
And Calvert-Lewin is joined by other household names on the list of Goodison Park aces who might move for nothing at the end of the season.
Ex-England wideman Ashley Young, 39, is joined by Abdoulaye Doucoure, Michael Keane, Idrissa Gueye, Seamus Coleman, Joao Virginia and Asmir Begovic.
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