Izuchukwu OkosiEverton has opened talks with Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi on the extension of his contract at the Merseyside club reports Prime Business Africa.
The nephew of legendary Austin Jay Jay Okocha who thrilled Nigerian football fans with his repertoire of dazzling skills during his playing days has been a revelation in central midfield for the Toffees under manager Frank Lampard this season.
The Liverpool Echo scooped that Everton is hoping to tie him down for the coming years.
Iwobi’s contract runs out in 2024, but Everton want to avoid losing him for a cut-price fee this coming summer.
The club is hoping a salary raise and a long deal will convince the former Arsenal forward to stay.
The talks with Iwobi’s agents are still in their infancy, but Everton is eager to agree fresh terms amid Iwobi’s impressive start to the season.
The 26-year-old has gone from being an unreliable winger to a hard-working and convincing central midfielder.
According to the Liverpool Echo, Lampard trusts Iwobi and has handed him seven appearances in all competitions so far this campaign. This explains why Everton is so keen to organise a new contract.
Iwobi’s current terms run until 2024. The Nigerian is unlikely to receive as much transfer interest as his keeper, although Everton would still like to prevent an exit.
Everton fans would likely be very happy if their club managed to tie down Gordon, Pickford and Iwobi for the foreseeable future.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
Follow Us