Everton transfer news as Alex Iwobi bids could leave club exposed with new gamble
Alex Iwobi could be heading towards the exit door at Goodison Park as he enters the final year of his Everton contract, according to a report in the Liverpool Echo.
The Nigerian winger joined the Toffees in 2019 and was an ever-present last season, starting all 38 games of the Premier League season and “serious” bids could cause an issue.
Iwobi has yet to agree to a new contract, and it is said that selling him would be a real gamble without any replacements being lined up.
Reporting on 17 July, Thomas writes: “Iwobi is also being touted as a target of other clubs. Iwobi has entered the final year of his deal and has not signed a new contract despite talks having been ongoing since last autumn.
“Serious bids would pose an issue for the Blues. While the club is in need of sales to boost the transfer budget it cannot leave itself exposed by gambling on agreeing to exits without having replacements lined up.”
Iwobi did start in Everton’s pre-season fixture against Stade Nyonnais in Switzerland, which would suggest that no exit is particularly close, but with over 200 Premier League appearances at 27-years-old there will be plenty of interest in the winger.
Leaving themselves short
So far this window, there has been much more talk about who will be leaving Everton, than who will be coming in and it’s beginning to reach a point that Dyche’s side are looking a bit thin on the ground.
Losing fringe players alone can be difficult for a side to manage, as would be the case if Neal Maupay does depart Merseyside. But to lose a player who started every match last season would be very worrying for Everton and leave a big gap in the side.
While Iwobi only managed two goals and eight assists in the Premier League last term, no one exactly excelled at Everton, so he often carried a much greater threat than his teammates throughout the season.
But Everton find themselves in a difficult situation, with financial fair play rules needing to be met and only 12 months left on his contract, this window will mark the last opportunity for them to earn a substantial fee for the Nigerian winger.
In other Everton news, Neal Maupay has emerged as a target for Salernitana as they plot ‘top secret’ transfers