Everton have started talks with midfielder Alex Iwobi over a contract extension, as confirmed by the club’s manager Frank Lampard.
Since Lampard’s appointment in January, Iwobi has been a regular feature in the starting XI, having struggled for consistent playing minutes under Rafael Benitez before his dismissal.
With direct goal contributions in four of his most recent five league outings on either side of the international break, Iwobi has emerged as an early contender for the Everton Player of the Year award.
The Goodison Park-based outfit are now working towards keeping hold of the 26-year-old Nigerian beyond the end of his current deal, which is due to expire in 2024.
“I know that Kevin Thelwell is speaking with Alex’s people on that front, so we’ll see how that one develops,” Lampard told Richard Buxton earlier today.
“He’s one of the best midfield players in the league, in my opinion, in terms of being a six [or] eight.
“His development’s been brilliant…I think there was a perception of Alex before I came in.
“I felt and always saw he could be dangerous in the middle of the pitch.
“The rest is him – I just want more from him because of what he’s got attribute-wise.”
Iwobi opened his account for the season with a first league goal since March in Sunday’s narrow 2-1 defeat against Manchester United.
The result ended a seven-game unbeaten streak across all competitions in the blue half of Merseyside dating back to August 20.
However, the Toffees remain just a point shy of a place in the top half of the Premier League standings ahead of their trip to Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.
The home side could be without ex-Everton man Richarlison for the clash.
