Everton transfer news as Alex Iwobi now close to permanent exit
Fulham are close to an agreement with Everton over the signing of Alex Iwobi, with personal terms already agreed in principle, according to Sky Sports.
The sports news outlet shared via its transfer blog that, once the final details are sorted between the two clubs, the Nigerian international will travel to London to undergo a medical with the Cottagers.
Marco Silva was Everton’s manager when Iwobi signed from Arsenal in 2019 and is seeking a reunion with his former player who has one year left on his deal at Goodison Park with no indication of a new contract.
Cashing in on an asset
Everton look as though they need to cash in on Iwobi as soon as it became apparent that he wouldn’t be extending his contract at Goodison Park beyond next season.
Iwobi has been a key player under Sean Dyche, playing both in the middle and, more recently, out wide as cover for the injured Dwight McNeil, but will now be allowed to leave the club in the coming hours.
This deal may free up space for Everton’s pursuit of Southampton winger Kamaldeen Sulemana, after The Athletic reported [30 August] that Iwobi or Demarai Gray leaving Merseyside would facilitate a move for the Ghanaian international whom Everton have been tracking.
The Sulemana move could now be a necessity rather than a desire. Everton were lacking in the wide areas to begin with, as both McNeil and new signing Jack Harrison are missing with injuries for the immediate future, while Arnaut Danjuma is viewed as a forward rather than a wide man.
James Garner has been forced to play on the right side of midfield with Iwobi on the left due to the lack of depth, so the Nigerian’s departure will surely trigger Everton’s move for a new winger in the coming hours.
In other Everton news, a midfielder has rejected the chance to move to Everton in a late summer deal.