In the midst of swirling speculations regarding the future of Everton midfielder Alex Iwobi, manager Sean Dyche has chosen to tread carefully, Soccernet.ng reacts.
Reports have surfaced suggesting that Iwobi is on the verge of a transfer to fellow Premier League outfit Fulham.
As the clock ticks towards the 11 pm deadline on Friday, the two clubs remain engaged in discussions over a potential £20 million deal for the Nigerian international, as per the Daily Mail.
Iwobi was absent from Everton's squad during their EFL Cup comeback victory against Doncaster Rovers on August 30th due to injury. Still, it has done little to cool speculations in the transfer rumour mill.
When questioned about the ongoing speculation surrounding the 27-year-old's future, Dyche provided a concise response to the Liverpool Echo, stating,
“It's noise at the moment.”
The situation at Everton has been somewhat compelled by Iwobi's reluctance to ink a fresh contract at Goodison Park.
Consequently, the Arsenal academy product is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, a scenario Everton is keen to avoid, especially given their initial £35 million investment in him back in 2019.
While Dyche would prefer to retain Iwobi in his squad, Everton's willingness to offload him to Fulham for £20 million is a pragmatic stance.
What might irk Everton supporters is the timing of these discussions, which have stretched to the eve of the transfer deadline, leaving Everton with scant time to secure a replacement.
Iwobi was a fixture in Everton's starting lineup last season, featuring in all 38 Premier League matches.
Although he may not have fully lived up to his hefty price tag at Goodison Park, he earned the Players' Player of the Season accolade last term. Should he indeed leave, his departure would create a notable void.
As Everton grapple with both defensive and attacking issues, despite the arrival of Beto, Dyche now faces an additional challenge in the midfield department.
The impending departure of Iwobi, if it materializes, will undoubtedly compound the club's concerns.
