Everton have been working tirelessly this summer to finish the window with a squad stronger than the one they started with.
Thus far, they have made great strides towards that goal.
However, there remain so many uncertainties that could well scupper their efforts before the transfer period ends this Friday.
One such example is Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who remains coy about his future despite having already rejected one new deal to stay at Goodison Park.
With a contract expiring next summer, a decision must be made, and Fabrizio Romano has sought to provide further insight into how he has acted throughout this summer of turmoil.
Fabrizio Romano promises huge Dominic Calvert-Lewin news
Speaking to Men in Blazers, the transfer journalist was quizzed about the Calvert-Lewin situation, with his future still very much up in the air.
The 27-year-old, who continues to confuse the Toffees with his ambiguous approach to his future on Merseyside, is swiftly losing a lot of fans by delaying a decision.
Especially after his inability to strike up a deal with Newcastle United saw Everton’s efforts to sign Yankuba Minteh fall through.
Well, Romano has now shed some more light on that deal, as he boldly claimed: ‘At the moment with Chelsea I’m not aware of anything concrete or close. Calvert-Lewin could only be something in the final hours of the window on Friday if they don’t find one of their top targets.
‘I still think he has a chance to stay at Everton, but I want to tell you one thing, but people in the industry will kill me, after the transfer window I will reveal something on a swap deal that didn’t happen for Calvert-Lewin.
‘It was a concrete possibility at the beginning of August, it was never in the media, but I can’t say now, I have to say it in September, so the next episode, don’t forget.’
Could Dominic Calvert-Lewin leave Everton?
As noted earlier, with each passing day that he does not decide his future, Evertonians are only growing more and more disillusioned with him.
This was evident in his substitution against Brighton and Hove Albion, which saw the striker receive a mixed reception from the Goodison Park crowd, with some clapping and others booing.
By holding off on making a concrete move, he is further weakening Everton’s bargaining position.
Ideally, they would want him to commit long-term or just leave this summer, but he has given them little time to operate now.
With Arsenal now interested in Calvert-Lewin, alongside Chelsea and Newcastle United, there’s every chance he could leave before the window slams shut.
This would in turn provoke a desperate last-gasp rush to source his replacement, which Dyche will likely not want.
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