The Super Eagles midfielder, Alex Iwobi has reiterated his commitment to playing for the senior national team at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in December rather than playing in the Premier League for Fulham.

It is note that 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), organized in Morocco, will take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

Though before now, the competition always schedule in February, but it has been shifted to December due busy schedule this year.

With the club versus country row set to take center stage again, as the Nigerian international, in a chat with media stated that he will choose playing for the Super Eagles in December over Fulham.

“It’s not nice for us [to have to choose between the AFCON and our clubs], but with all due respect to Fulham I would like to go to the AFCON,” Iwobi told The Guardian.

The former Arsenal star also disclosed that Gunners legend, Ian Wright remains one of his role model

“Looking at them, especially Ian Wright, he literally did whatever he wanted,” Iwobi says. “He expressed himself, gave 100% in football, but also enjoyed his life. 

“So I would also use him as a role model that I still give 100% in my football. But I like to have fun on the pitch as well as off the pitch, so that’s my way with music, with fashion, with charity stuff. 

“There’s a lot of things I do just to … I wouldn’t say get distracted, but just, like, have a moment or just to breathe.”

Everton have agreed to sign Chelsea midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in a deal worth around £28m.

The fee for the 26-year-old is an initial £24m with a further £3-4m due in add-ons, and he will now finalise personal terms and undergo a medical despite late interest from Fulham.

Dewsbury-Hall had initially been reluctant to leave Stamford Bridge after a season playing in a supporting role as the side won the Fifa Club World Cup and Uefa Conference League, as well as qualifying for the Champions League.

However, the Blues were open to letting the midfielder go as they look to recoup the vast majority of the £30m it took to prise him from Leicester City in 2024, where he rejoined Enzo Maresca who also left the Foxes to manage Chelsea.

Everton have also been in negotiations with Southampton for winger Tyler Dibling, but are considering walking away if the valuation for the 19-year-old doesn’t drop after a second bid was rejected.

In manager David Moyes’s final press conference at the Premier League Summer Series, he said: “I think there’ll be deals next week. I think we’re getting much closer, but I felt that four or five weeks ago as well.

“Obviously, we’re getting near the tickly bits and we’ve got to get some things done.”

Following the signing of Dutch defender Jorrel Hato from Ajax on Sunday, Chelsea are negotiating multiple sales this week.

French midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu, 21, has agreed to join Burnley, who are also in advanced talks with their Albanian forward Armando Broja, 23.

Borussia Dortmund have also re-opened negotiations for midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka as the Blues look to trim their squad.

Burnley have agreed a fee to sign midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu from Chelsea on a permanent basis.

The 21-year-old is expected to sign a five-year contract having been given permission to complete a medical at Turf Moor.

Ugochukwu has been considered surplus to requirements this summer as Chelsea look to sell multiple players in their so-called “bomb squad” – a group of players including England internationals Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell – training separately from Enzo Maresca’s first team.

Meanwhile, Burnley are also in advanced talks to sign striker Armando Broja from Chelsea, which could be the third move between the two clubs after defender Bashir Humphreys also moved on a permanent basis for £14m.

Ugochukwu spent two seasons at Chelsea making 15 appearances in all competitions during his first season before joining Southampton on a season-long loan in his second campaign.

The France Under-21 international joined Chelsea in 2023 from French club Rennes in a £23m deal.