Everton have opened talks with Anthony Gordon, Alex Iwobi and Pickford over a new contract as they bid to keep the impeccable trio at Goodison Park for a long term, The Athletic understands.
Everton earn their first Premier League win of the season with victory over West Ham at Goodison Park. (Photo: Getty Images)
Everton are looking to stabilise after a tumultuous period and an important part of their plans — especially before moving to a new stadium — is to renew the contracts of their most important players.
They are determined to tie down key men such as goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and coveted winger Anthony Gordon, while it can be revealed that they are also working to secure the future of Alex Iwobi.
Everton open talks with Alex Iwobi over a new contract.
Everton have begun talks with Alex Iwobi over contract renewal, in a bid to ward off attention from top clubs on their important player.
Alex Iwobi's game by numbers vs. West Ham:
74 touches
34 passes in final third
13 final third entries
8x possession won
3 clearances
3 duels won
3 touches in opp. box
2 shots
2 chances created
1 assistHe's now assisted three of Everton's last four goals in all comps. 🅰️ pic.twitter.com/lsyCLEtCCf
— Squawka (@Squawka) September 18, 2022
The 26-year-old has grown to become an integral part of the squad under Frank Lampard. On Sunday he assisted the winning goal as Neal Maupay’s strike beat West Ham 1-0 at Goodison Park.
Iwobi is under contract until 2024 but Everton are looking to secure his future at Goodison Park following a dramatic rise in his importance over the last six month.
Everton in talks with in-demand Anthony Gordon over a new contract.
Despite having three years left in his deal, Everton are in also talks with Gordon in a bid to ward off Chelsea and other suitors in January.
Everton are ready to hand Anthony Gordon a new deal worth £60,000-a-week. (Photo: Getty Images)
The Blues fought off Chelsea during the transfer window, rejecting a £45m bid for the homegrown star. Of the latest on his contract talks, Lampard said on Friday: “The club are speaking to Anthony and Anthony’s people to see if we can get the right solution.”
The 21-year-old signed a five-year contract in 2020 for £10,000-a-week and the pay rise could see his wage rise to £60k-per-week. He has scored twice in the league this season and was handed the number 10 shirt over the summer.
Discussions over a new contract for Pickford remain ongoing.
Talks are continuing over a new contract for the keeper, who played a key role during Everton’s fight against relegation last season.
Pickford has two years remaining on the deal he signed in 2018, a year after his £30m arrival from Sunderland. (Getty Images)
Lampard said: “We are very much having on-going talks with his agent. There is a real desire on both sides to get the right conclusion to this. The window is shut and this little period in the last couple of weeks has affected things. It’s something we are all willing to get done soon”
Preliminary conversations have taken place in regard to Iwobi — as well as team-mates like Pickford and Gordon — and that dialogue is set to ramp up in the coming weeks, with the Goodison Park hierarchy seeking to extend their careers on Merseyside.