Jay-Jay Okocha claims Arsenal forced Alex Iwobi to accept Everton move

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Premier League and Nigeria legend, Jay-Jay Okocha, claims that Alex Iwobi was essentially forced to accept a move away from Arsenal to Everton in 2019.

The forward completed a move to Goodison Park in the summer window of 2019. He suffered a poor opening season with the Toffees but has done well this season when called upon by Carlo Ancelotti.

However, speaking to Goal, Okocha revealed his sympathy for Iwobi after explaining that the move to Merseyside was sprung on Iwobi out of nowhere by officials at The Emirates.

“I must confess that the move from Arsenal to Everton wasn’t an easy one from him. He wasn’t expecting it, it just happened,” Okocha said.

“He got a call that there’s a deal for him and that he must oblige that deal, which wasn’t easy for a young player who has played all his life at Arsenal. I think that must have taken him 12 months to get over, so he didn’t have the best season last year with Everton.”

Iwobi’s move to Everton was believed to have fetched in around £34m for the Gunners (BBC). Okocha knows Iwobi well, after all, he is his uncle.

TBR View: Iwobi’s move is turning out just fine, patience was needed

It’s easy to forget that Iwobi is still only 24 and is making his way in the game. He’d got little experience really before the switch, so has clearly just taken some time to settle.

As Okocha says, the move was also a bit of a surprise. So any young player moving cities and switching clubs is always going to need some time for adjustments.

Luckily for Everton, Iwobi is now hitting form and looks a shrewd buy, even at over £30m.