I Was Negotiating a New Everton Contract—Then, Out of Nowhere, I Was Suddenly Sold

Alex Iwobi has opened up about his exit from Everton, revealing how Fulham’s interest was first brought to his attention by Marco Silva at Goodison Park.

Iwobi spent four years with the Toffees after joining from Arsenal for £28 million in the summer of 2019. His early days at the club were challenging, but he found his rhythm, especially under Frank Lampard, who took charge in January 2022. During Lampard’s tenure, Iwobi played a crucial role in helping Everton avoid relegation twice. His performances in the 2022-23 season earned him the Players’ Player of the Season award after he provided eight assists.

However, despite his growing influence, Everton opted to sell Iwobi just before the 2023 summer transfer window closed. With only a year left on his contract, the club decided to cash in, accepting a reported £22 million offer from Fulham. Then-manager Sean Dyche expressed reluctance to part ways with the Nigerian international, calling him a “joy to work with,” but admitted the decision was financially driven.

Ironically, Fulham’s interest in Iwobi surfaced after they defeated Everton 1-0 at Goodison Park on the opening day of the 2023-24 season. Silva, who initially signed Iwobi for Everton, approached him after the match to express a desire for a reunion in West London. Fulham, having just sold Aleksandar Mitrović to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, had the funds to make a move.

At the time, Iwobi was still in discussions about extending his stay at Everton. But with Fulham’s offer on the table and Everton’s financial situation in play, the decision was made, bringing his time on Merseyside to an unexpected end.