Iwobi lifts lid on how 'crazy Dubai boat trip' led to his Everton move on Transfer Deadline Day

Super Eagles star Alex Iwobi has opened up on the intervening conditions that led to his transfer from Arsenal to Everton during the 2019 summer transfer window.

Iwobi completed a £35m transfer move from his boyhood club Arsenal to the Toffees with just a few hours left on Transfer Deadline Day in August 2019.

The Nigerian international signed a five-year deal with Everton to end his 15-year association with the Gunners having come through the famous Hale End Academy at Arsenal.

However, Iwobi has revealed the dramatic events that led to his transfer to Everton, stating that he had initially given up on the deal happening.

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The Super Eagles midfielder told The National that he was in Dubai on vacation with his family when then Everton manager Marco Silva called and confirmed their interest in him.

Iwobi recounted: "It got played down for a bit and I got told that it wasn't going to go on. 

"I was on a boat and I get a call from Marco Silva at the time saying: 'We're really interested. How do you feel?' I thought, maybe I'm ready for a new challenge."

At the time, Iwobi said he was on a boat ride in the 'middle of nowhere' in Dubai and he had to order the boat driver to turn back immediately so he could sign the papers before the Transfer Deadline Day slammed shut.

"We told them it was an emergency, like we needed to spin the boat [around] and get back quick because we were in the middle of nowhere," Iwobi explained.

"I have to give props to the driver because I don't know how he sped back to get us back in time to try and sign the documents.”

Iwobi has since spent three full seasons at Everton and recently saw his performance improve at Goodison Park during the 2021/22 season under English manager Frank Lampard.