Fulham open talks with Everton about bringing Iwobi back to London before transfer window closes

ENGLISH Premier league side Fulham have opened talks with Merseyside rivals Everton over the signing of Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi ahead of this Friday’s transfer deadline.

Iwobi, 27, has entered the final year of his contract but has not been able to reach an agreement with Everton over an extension. Fulham manager Marco Silva was in charge of the Merseyside club when Iwobi joined from Arsenal in 2019 and appears keen on a reunion with the playmaker.

Fulham, known as the Cottagers are keen to bolster their attack following the £46m departure of Serbian International Aleksandar Mitrovic to Saudi club Al-Hilal two weeks ago. They have now opened talks with Everton over the signing of Iwobi and are hoping to seal a deal before the end of the week when the transfer window shuts.

Aside from Fulham, two other clubs are also interested in the services of the former Arsenal player, with one of the club's in the Premier League and the other from outside England. Iwobi started his club’s first two league matches this new season before he got injured in the second game against Aston Villa.

It has since been confirmed as a hamstring injury which will see him out of action for a few weeks. Iwobi has been a key player for Everton over the past two seasons and had a run of 52 consecutive league appearances ended last weekend when he was missing in the club’s 1-0 home defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

During the 2022/23 season, Iwobi scored two goals and provided seven assists in 38 appearances as Everton escaped relegation on the final day of the season. If Iwobi eventually joins the West London club, he will become a teammate to compatriot Calvin Bassey who signed for Fulham from Ajax earlier in the summer.