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By Ebenezer Bajela.
English Premier League side, Everton, have blocked Alex Iwobi’s purported exit from the club after the midfielder was linked with a shock exit last week.
The Nigerian was linked with a move to Turkey with Fenerbahce one of the favourites to land the player on an initial loan deal.
As per a report from Turkish media outlet A Spor, Iwobi is unhappy at Everton and wanted to leave the club. Fenerbahce emerged as the most attractive destination for the former Arsenal man as the Turkish transfer window is open until yesterday.
The Turkish giants were hoping to get the deal done before the Turkish window slams shut on March 5 after the winter transfer window was extended in Turkey as the region of Gaziantep suffered an earthquake on February 6.
Iwobi is in the final 18 months of his deal and the report claimed that the Toffees could look to sell him in the summer.
However, another report from Football Insider claims that Everton will not be selling Iwobi and they will be blocking any move for the 26-year-old, who remains an important part of Sean Dyche’s team.
It was claimed that the deal with Fenerbahce was at an advanced stage but Everton will not allow Iwobi to leave the club.
Though it is claimed that Iwobi is unhappy at Everton, Dyche has given his response to the exit rumours claiming that he saw the Nigerian today and he seemed happy. The former Burnley boss also iterated that a transfer taking place now is highly unlikely.
The links to Fenerbahce did come as a surprise especially as the Nigerian has been one of the best players for the Toffees this season and has retained his importance under Dyche.
Though he has been asked to play out of position on the right flank rather than his preferred central role, Iwobi has sparkled throughout the season. He is Everton’s assist leader, has created the most number of chances and completed the most recoveries. He has been performing exceptionally well and deserves a contract extension.
His influence is crucial and there shouldn’t be an iota of doubt over selling Iwobi at this point of the season when Everton are locked in a relegation battle.