Journalist Dean Jones says that Everton are 'starting to work on' a new contract for Alex Iwobi.

The Lowdown: Talks opened

It was reported earlier this month that initial talks have been opened over a new deal for the Nigerian at Goodison Park.

He is currently the club's joint-highest earner on £120,000 per week, but he only has two years left remaining on his existing deal on Merseyside.

The Latest: Working on it

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones has shared that Everton are 'starting to work on' Iwobi's new deal, adding that the 26-year-old has been 'key' to the Toffees' turnaround after nearly suffering relegation towards the end of last season.

The journalist said of a possible new contract for the ex-Arsenal man: “They're starting to work on it now because obviously, he's been so impressive, so important, and so key to this turnaround. They just want to make sure that they don't let things slip.”

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The Verdict: Well deserved

Iwobi is thoroughly deserving of a new contract at Everton, even if he is already the joint-highest earner in Frank Lampard's squad.

The Nigeria international has only missed 17 minutes of football all season, scoring one goal and delivering a further six assists in the Premier League, playing in every position in the middle of the park (Transfermarkt).

He is currently their sixth-best performer in the top flight and ranks highly among his team-mates for average tackles, shots, dribbles, crosses and long balls per game, while no other Everton player has made more key passes than the 26-year-old (WhoScored).

The previously much-maligned Iwobi is a man transformed under Lampard, and with just two years left on his current deal, the Toffees need to ensure that he puts pen to paper on fresh terms.