Alex Iwobi joins Everton from Arsenal in five year deal involving £40m transfer fee

SUPER Eagles playmaker Alex Iwobi has left Arsenal and joined English Premier league rivals Everton in a £40m deal that involves him signing a five year contract with the Merseyside club nicknamed The Toffees.

Iwobi, 23, rose through the youth ranks at Arsenal, breaking into the first-team squad in 2015 and has since gone on to make 149 appearances for the north Londoners, scoring 15 goals and providing 27 assists. He is also now the mainstay of Nigeria's attacking thrust, having been handed the number 10 role during the recent African Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Over the last week, Everton have stepped up their quest for Iwobi and a few days ago, the Gunners rejected an £30m bid, forcing the Toffees to submit an improved offer. This has now been accepted and Iwobi is currently undergoing a medical in Merseyside, with the deal expected to be completed by the 7pm transfer deadline tonight.

Iwobi's move from Arsenal is part of a major reshuffle taking place at the Gunners that has seen Ivorian winger Nicolas Pepe join the club from French side Lille for a record fee of €79m (£72m). Also, Chelsea centreback David Luiz, is set to join ​Arsenal later today from Chelsea in an £8m deal.