Everton has opened talks with Alex Iwobi over a new contract.
Discussions are at an early stage, the ECHO understands, but the Blues are keen to tie down the 26-year-old, who has grown to become an integral part of the squad under Frank Lampard. Iwobi has been one of the most impressive players of the opening seven games of the Premier League season – even though he has been used in an unfamiliar central midfield role.
Talks with Iwobi come with Everton also in discussions with Jordan Pickford and Anthony Gordon over new contracts, as reported by the ECHO this week.
Iwobi is under contract until 2024 but Everton are looking to secure his future at Goodison Park following a dramatic rise in his importance over the last six months. Iwobi’s attitude and versatility has been key, with the former Arsenal man kickstarting his progress with the dramatic 99th-minute winner over Newcastle United in March. He then played a vital role in the final stages of the relegation battle while operating as a right wing back. Injuries led to him being moved into central midfield for the final friendly of Everton’s pre-season, against Dynamo Kyiv. Such has been his form in that position he has remained there despite the return to fitness of other central midfielders and several signings boosting Lampard’s options in that position. Iwobi created Neal Maupay’s winner against West Ham United on Sunday.
Lampard has been crucial to Iwobi’s resurgence, as has assistant manager Joe Edwards, while the red card he received for Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations in January also led to reflection.
Speaking to the ECHO in Washington DC, during the club’s pre-season tour of the US this summer, Iwobi said: “I feel like ever since the new manager [Lampard] came in and I came back from the Africa Cup of Nations it was almost like a new challenge and a new start. When I came into training I felt I was capable. I was hungry to get myself back into the team and the gaffer appreciated that. Luckily he had that faith and belief in me and I was able to do what he wanted me to do and able to help the team get results. It was good for me when he came in, it has been helpful for my career.”
“He is able to relate to how someone is feeling mentally as well as trying to help people on the pitch. For me, when I was going through a difficult period where I wasn’t playing [under Rafa Benitez] and coming off the back of the Cup of Nations he was literally talking to me just saying ‘go again, I know the qualities you have’. He kept saying ‘express yourself, play freely’ – and that is what I have been doing.”
Everton are in also talks with Gordon, whose value to the club has soared this year too. The 21-year-old has scored twice in the league this season and was handed the number 10 shirt over the summer.
The Blues fought off Chelsea during the transfer window, rejecting a £45m bid for the homegrown star. Of the latest on his contract talks, Lampard said on Friday: “The club are speaking to Anthony and Anthony’s people to see if we can get the right solution.”
Discussions over a new contract for Pickford remain ongoing. They have been taking place for some time but took a back seat during the final weeks of the transfer window.
Attention is now returning to the matter, Lampard saying: “We are very much having on-going talks with his agent. There is a real desire on both sides to get the right conclusion to this. The window is shut and this little period in the last couple of weeks has affected things. It’s something we are all willing to get done soon.”
