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We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Alex Iwobi’s long-mooted contract extension has not been jeopardised by the managerial change at Everton but rivals will swoop in if it doesn’t get sorted, says Kevin Campbell.
The Nigerian international winger blossomed into the star man under Frank Lampard, who confirmed on 15 October that talks were on between the 26-year-old’s representatives and Kevin Thelwell, but six months later nothing has been signed and the former Chelsea legend is now long gone.
Sky Sports pundit and former Toffees captain Campbell is not worried that the arrival of Sean Dyche has put the talks in danger but, with just a year left on Iwobi’s current deal by the summer, is sure there won’t be a shortage of clubs ready to take advantage if a resolution isn’t reached soon.
He exclusively told Goodison News of the chances the deal is in trouble: “No I don’t think so. I think his level has been quite decent. When was the last time you could say Everton got six points out of nine [to start the Dyche era]?
“We can look at levels dropping [but three] clean sheets, [three] wins at home, I think Everton take that.
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“I don’t see that jeopardising his new contract. Because if Everton don’t re-sign him, he’s playing well enough that somebody else probably will.”
The Athletic reported on 8 March that Everton had been prioritising Jordan Pickford’s extension and their “next priority” was Iwobi.
The England keeper’s deal also went through an unexplained delay at boardroom level that aroused the interest of Premier League sides such as Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham [Daily Mail, 27 December] before finally coming to fruition nearly two months later.
So fans will have to hope that a similar resolution is reached with Iwobi prior to the summer before interested parties start trying to take advantage of a cut-price deal, with Everton still unlikely to be in a position to risk losing a player for free 12-months later.