30 August 2023 , 14:25
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Everton are willing to listen to offers for Alex Iwobi in the final stages of the transfer window with a move for the 27-year-old possible ahead of Friday’s deadline.
The versatile midfielder, who featured prominently in the Premier League last season, is yet to reach a new contract agreement with the club despite negotiations being underway since September last year. Talks between Iwobi and Everton remain ongoing, according to manager Sean Dyche.
“Me and [director of football Kevin Thelwell] have been speaking about the idea of being open with the agents, open with the players and fathoming out in a way that is a more open scenario - open conversations, where are we at with it, what is the truth of it, and working it all out," said Dyche earlier this year. "That is just an ongoing process, not just with him but with every player whose contract has either got a renegotiation or a question mark or time lapse."
With only one year remaining on his current contract, Iwobi has attracted interest from other clubs, including Fulham. Everton are reportedly open to considering offers for the Nigeria international but want a fee in excess of £20 million.
The club's financial constraints this summer make any additional income from player sales appealing, especially considering the possibility of Iwobi leaving for free next summer, reports the Liverpool Echo. Another player whose future at Everton is uncertain is Demarai Gray.
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The winger has caught the attention of teams in Saudi Arabia and Fulham and is likely to leave Goodison Park in the coming days. Gray has not been included in the first-team squad since returning from international duty with Jamaica, with fitness issues cited as the reason for his absence.
Everton want £20m to sell Alex Iwobi ahead of the transfer deadline (Tony McArdle - Everton FC/Everton FC via Getty Images)His potential sale could provide additional funds for Dyche to strengthen his options. The right side of midfield is an area that Everton is looking to reinforce, which adds another layer of intrigue to Iwobi's future, with Dyche having typically used the former Arsenal man in that position.
While the Toffees have called time on their pursuit of Leeds United winger Wilfried Gnonto, they remain interested in Southampton wideman Kamaldeen Sulemana and West Ham United's Maxwell Cornet. If a bid for Iwobi materialises, the funds could significantly enhance Everton's ability to continue their squad overhaul before the deadline.
So far, the club has made five additions to the squad, with loan arrivals Arnaut Danjuma and Jack Harrison, free agent Ashley Young and permanent signings Beto and Youssef Chermiti. These deals have been structured with minimal upfront costs.
In addition to Iwobi, Everton will also consider approaches for players such as Neal Maupay, Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Andre Gomes and Tom Cannon. The arrival of Beto could potentially pave the way for striker Cannon to continue his development elsewhere after a successful loan spell at Preston North End last season.
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