Everton agree £40m deal for Alex Iwobi

Nigeria international Alex Iwobi is all set to become the seventh summer signing for Everton after the Toffees and Arsenal agreed a deal worth up to £40 million.

Iwobi joined Arsenal in 2004, rising through the ranks before making his professional debut in a League Cup match against Sheffield Wednesday in October 2015.

In all, the Nigerian star played 149 times, scoring 15 goals.

Everton had initially made a bid of £30 million for Iwobi that was turned down. But their improved offer on Thursday has been accepted by the Arsenal management.

With this big move, Iwobi has become Nigeria’s most expensive player ever in terms of the transfer fee.

Kelechi Iheanacho who commanded a transfer fee of £25m when he switched from Manchester City to Leicester City was hitherto the costliest Nigerian player.

It is also understood that Iwobi with his move to Everton is the most expensive departure in Arsenal’s history.

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Before securing a deal for Iwobi, Everton’s new arrivals include goalkeeper Jonas Lossl, defender Djibril Sidibe, midfielders Andre Gomes, Fabian Delph and Jean-Philippe Gbamin, and striker Moise Kean.

As reported by the BBC, Iwobi had a medical in London, but a deal sheet was submitted by the 5 p.m. deadline and the transfer should be completed without a problem by the extended cut-off time of 7 p.m.

An unveiling is expected later on Thursday night

Iwobi featured regularly last season under manager Unai Emery, appearing in all but three Premier League games, and he scored in the Europa League final defeat by Chelsea in what was his last appearance for the club.

Iwobi now begins a new chapter in his career at Everton and would hope to blossom under Marco Silva.

Joseph Yobo and Yakubu Aiyegbeni are two stand-out Nigerians that have excelled with Everton in the past.