In an age where loyalty in football is becoming increasingly rare, Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s near-decade at Everton Football Club stands out as a testament to dedication, perseverance, and growth. But as the summer transfer window of 2025 rolls on, news that the 27-year-old striker is preparing to leave Goodison Park has sent ripples through the fanbase and beyond.
His departure doesn’t just mark the end of a player’s chapter at a club; it signifies the conclusion of a transformational era—for Calvert-Lewin, for Everton, and for a generation of supporters who watched him evolve from an unpolished prospect into one of England’s most recognisable No. 9s.
From Sheffield to Merseyside The Making of a Blue
When Dominic Calvert-Lewin signed for Everton in August 2016 from Sheffield United for a modest fee of around £1.5 million, few could have predicted the trajectory he would take. Then just 19, he was raw, athletic, and showed glimpses of potential but wasn’t expected to make an immediate impact.
He joined a club in transition. Ronald Koeman was trying to rebuild post-Martínez, and big-money signings dominated the headlines. Yet Calvert-Lewin quietly went about his development, earning opportunities in the cup competitions and impressing with his work rate and positional intelligence.
His breakthrough came during the 2017/18 season, a campaign where Everton floundered in search of identity but Calvert-Lewin emerged as a beacon of future promise. His versatility—able to play wide, as a second striker, or lead the line—earned him minutes, but it was his aerial prowess and defensive contribution that endeared him to successive managers.
A True No. 9 Is Born
The 2019–20 season proved pivotal. Under the brief tutelage of Marco Silva and the subsequent arrival of Carlo Ancelotti, Calvert-Lewin’s role became more defined. No longer a makeshift forward or utility attacker, he was entrusted with the No. 9 shirt and the responsibility of being Everton’s focal point in attack.
Working closely with Ancelotti—who likened him to former pupils such as Filippo Inzaghi—Calvert-Lewin developed into a penalty-box predator. His movement became sharper, his finishing more refined, and his confidence grew.
That season, he netted 13 Premier League goals, but it was the 2020–21 campaign where he truly exploded, scoring 16 goals in the league and earning a call-up to the England squad. He debuted in October 2020 and scored within minutes. It was the peak of a footballer on the rise.
Injuries and Inconsistencies A Testing Phase
However, the trajectory wasn’t linear. The next couple of years brought injury setbacks, most notably a recurring hamstring issue and later a fractured toe that limited his minutes and form. Everton, during the same time, went through turbulence both on and off the pitch—multiple managerial changes, boardroom unrest, and a descent into relegation battles.
Despite his struggles, Calvert-Lewin remained committed. In a time when big-money moves and ambition-driven exits were commonplace, he stayed loyal to a club fighting for its Premier League status. He scored crucial goals—most memorably the late header against Crystal Palace in May 2022 that all but sealed Everton’s top-flight survival.
His resilience was celebrated by fans who saw not just a footballer, but a fighter, one of their own, putting body and soul into the badge.
A Face Beyond Football
While his footballing journey unfolded with highs and lows, Calvert-Lewin also made headlines for challenging conventions off the pitch. Known for his fashion-forward style, he graced the cover of GQ, championed gender-neutral fashion choices, and advocated for men’s mental health awareness.
His openness about vulnerability, combined with his confident yet respectful demeanor, won him admiration beyond Merseyside. In a sport often mired in rigid masculinity, Calvert-Lewin emerged as a refreshing voice—unapologetically himself.
For many, especially young fans, he became a role model not just for what he did with a ball, but for who he was as a person.
Why Now Understanding the Decision to Move On
After nine years, the decision to leave was not sudden. Sources close to the club indicate that conversations began earlier this year between Calvert-Lewin’s representatives and Everton’s new sporting director, outlining the player’s desire for a fresh challenge.
At 27, he is entering what many consider the prime years of a striker. With his injury concerns now largely behind him, and with renewed fitness and form showcased in the latter half of the 2024–25 season, the timing felt right.
Everton, meanwhile, are rebuilding under Sean Dyche and backed by new investment. They understand that retaining a player with Calvert-Lewin’s profile while also restructuring financially would be difficult. With just one year left on his contract, the club has accepted that selling him now is the best way to extract value and avoid losing him for free next summer.
Potential Destinations Who’s in the Race
Several clubs—both domestic and abroad—are monitoring Calvert-Lewin’s situation closely. His blend of Premier League experience, aerial ability, and physical presence makes him a valuable asset.
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Newcastle United
Newcastle are long-time admirers and see Calvert-Lewin as a player who could offer rotation and competition to Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson. His English status also helps meet homegrown quotas for European competitions.
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West Ham United
With Michail Antonio aging and Gianluca Scamacca’s future uncertain, West Ham need a proven Premier League forward. Calvert-Lewin fits David Moyes’ system and could thrive in a physically demanding role.
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Bayer Leverkusen
Xabi Alonso’s title-winning side are rumored to be seeking an experienced striker for their Bundesliga and Champions League campaigns. Calvert-Lewin’s presence would add a different dimension to their attack.
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Roma
Jose Mourinho is a known admirer of powerful forwards, and with Romelu Lukaku returning to Chelsea after his loan, Roma could swoop in.
Regardless of where he goes, one thing is clear: Calvert-Lewin’s next club is inheriting a matured, motivated player eager to prove himself once again on the biggest stages.
Everton’s Future Without DCL
Losing a player of Calvert-Lewin’s pedigree is never easy. For nearly a decade, he has led the line, carried burdens, and scored vital goals. But Everton must look forward.
Young forward Youssef Chermiti is viewed as a future star, and there’s optimism around academy products like Tom Cannon and Lewis Dobbin. The club is also likely to dip into the market to sign a new striker—one who fits Dyche’s philosophy of high work rate, physicality, and tactical awareness.
There’s also a deeper truth: Everton need to move toward a sustainable, modern model—not relying on one talismanic figure, but building a balanced, resilient squad capable of competing across the table.
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