Everton want “in excess” of £20million if they are to sell Alex Iwobi before the transfer deadline, according to The Times.
The newspaper reported online on 29 August that despite the Nigerian international being in the final year of his contract the Toffees “would seek” a hefty eight-figure fee to let him go.
Fulham had been in talks to sign 27-year-old before Sky Sports reported earlier on Tuesday that the London side were not expected to do a deal, although there is further interest from two more clubs – one in the Premier League and one in Europe.
Iwobi had long been expected to sign a contract extension at Goodison Park but that still hasn’t materialised and now an exit is possible, although he is currently out with a hamstring injury.
Fall
The former Arsenal man was arguably the star attraction in Frank Lampard’s Everton side, at least once Richarlison was sold, and had been close a new deal while the former boss was in charge.
Last December it looked like he and Anthony Gordon would be committing their futures to the club but the younger winger ended up at Newcastle just a month later and now it looks like the senior man could yet depart within a year.
Although Jordan Pickford did sign an extension later last season it would be a very disappointing regression for both the attacking options to leave so soon after a long and fruitful Everton career looked to be on the cards.
With Demarai Gray also close to leaving it would also explain why Sean Dyche has been pushing so hard to sign wingers this summer even after landing loan deals for Jack Harrison and Arnaut Danjuma.
Iwobi and Gray, both 27, could net the club another significant windfall but the timing of their possible exits means there likely won’t be time to spend any money on new arrivals, if it hasn’t already been lined up as part of the Beto signing.
Although Iwobi’s influence has probably decreased since he was switched wide again by Dyche, having been a key man centrally under Lampard, it would would still mean another important man leaving if he were to go.
In other Everton news, the club have reacted to a £23.2m transfer development by trying to sign a player from a Premier League rival.
