Joelinton cited as Everton source reveals talks underway – Agbonlahor
Gabby Agbonlahor has compared Alex Iwobi’s reinvention as a centre-midfielder at Everton to Joelinton’s revival at Newcastle United.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker delivered his verdict as it was revealed Everton want to tie Iwobi down to a new contract.
Sources told Football Insider earlier this month (10 October) that the club have opened preliminary talks with the 26-year-old as they want to reward him for his form this season.
His current deal is worth around £90,000-a-week and expires in the summer of 2024.
Iwobi has started all 12 of Everton’s Premier League games this season and provided his fourth and fifth assist of the season during the 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday (22 October).
“He’s done very well, definitely,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“It’s like Joelinton at Newcastle, Iwobi has found the position that suits him. He’s not a winger.
“He’s finally found the centre-midfield position where he’s got the quality on the ball, got the legs, aggression, the fitness and he’s doing very well.
“Sometimes it might take until the latter stages of your career to find your best position as a footballer and that’s happened with Joelinton and Iwobi.”
Iwobi moved to Goodison Park from Arsenal in the summer of 2019 for a £40million fee but initially failed to impress at Goodison Park.
The 58-time Nigeria international has scored eight times and provided 13 assists in 110 appearances across all competitions for the Toffees.
In other news, an ex-Fifa official has cited a “point deduction” as controversial Anthony Gordon footage emerges from Everton.