Everton Makes Deadline Day Bid For Alex Iwobi

Everton has launched a last-ditch bid to sign Arsenal winger Alex Iwobi before Thursday’s transfer deadline.
The Toffees have been on the tail of Wilfried Zaha in recent weeks but have seen two of their bids for the Ivory Coast international turned down by Crystal Palace.

The Goodison Park outfit has tabled an opening offer – believed to total around £30 million ($36m), including add-ons – for the Gunners’ academy graduate.

Arsenal have rejected the bid, however.

Everton must now decide whether to increase their offer for a player who made 51 appearances last season in all competitions for Unai Emery’s side, scoring six goals.

Iwobi was a key player for Emery during his first campaign in charge at the Emirates, with no player in the squad featuring in more games than the young forward.

But he is not a guaranteed starter and the arrival of Nicolas Pepe from Lille and the return of Reiss Nelson following his loan spell with Hoffenheim, could see his opportunities limited further.

Speaking during the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this summer, where he helped Nigeria to a third-placed finish, Iwobi admitted that he would have to consider leaving his boyhood club if he believed he might struggle to get regular playing time.

Read Also: Wilfried Zaha Refuses To Rule Out Arsenal Summer Move

“I am not one to chicken out,” he said. “I have had it all over the years, being told I’m not good enough.

“So whenever the chance comes I always try and prove I should be starting. Obviously my joy is to play football and not just sit out.

“If it comes to that I would have no choice but to leave. But I would always put up a fight to play – that is what I’ve done all my life.”

The interest from Everton would give Arsenal a headache so close to Thursday’s transfer deadline.

Iwobi is home-grown and provides versatility across the frontline in a squad that will once again compete in four competitions next season. Photo Credit: Getty

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