Newcastle United have called off their pursuit of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the ECHO understands.
The club had enquired about the striker’s availability after months of monitoring the striker as they weighed up a move.
But the Magpies have now walked away – a move that also effectively ends any potential for winger Yankuba Minteh to move in the opposite direction.
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Newcastle were one of a host of clubs tracking the availability of Calvert-Lewin during the final months of the season. Their interest grew as the 27-year-old ended the season with a flurry of goals – including a late equaliser from the spot at St James’ Park.
That interest, reported by the ECHO last month, hardened into an approach last week. But after days of intrigue, Eddie Howe’s side has walked away.
The collapse of talks means Everton are also thought to be out of the running for Minteh. The winger is available this summer but, as previously reported by the ECHO, with Newcastle hoping for £40m for the teenager any hopes Everton had of being in the running for his signature were dependent on smooth negotiations over Calvert-Lewin creating the conditions for a deal on terms they could meet.
While Newcastle’s interest in Calvert-Lewin has cooled for now, the 27-year-old’s future remains uncertain. He will enter the final 12 months of his contract this summer unless he signs the new deal that has been offered to him. Other clubs, including West Ham United, are understood to be monitoring developments.