Alex Iwobi to Benfica: Time for Super Eagles star to quit Premier League for Portugal?

Alex Iwobi could be approaching one of the biggest decisions of his professional career as speculation grows over a possible move from Fulham to Benfica, Afrik-Foot reports.

Since arriving at Craven Cottage from Everton in a £22 million deal in 2023, the Super Eagles midfielder has rebuilt his reputation and become one of Fulham’s most important players. Under manager Marco Silva, Iwobi moved away from the difficult years he experienced at Everton, where he often played in unfamiliar positions and was regularly caught up in the club’s relegation battles.

At Fulham, the Nigerian international rediscovered his best form. During the 2024-25 Premier League season, he produced nine goals and six assists in 38 league appearances, including a memorable winning goal against Manchester United at Old Trafford. He followed that campaign with another strong season in 2025-26, recording four goals and three assists in 29 league matches while maintaining an impressive passing accuracy of 86 percent. Although, his efforts were not enough to help Fulham secure a European spot.

Playing alongside creative teammates such as Emile Smith Rowe and Andreas Pereira, Iwobi established himself as Fulham’s midfield engine, praised for his intelligence, movement and ability to keep possession under pressure.

Alex Iwobi: Marco Silva’s Benfica move changes everything

The landscape has changed dramatically this month after Silva left Fulham to become Benfica manager on a contract running until 2028. The Portuguese coach has played a major role in Iwobi’s career and is widely credited with getting the best out of the midfielder.

Their relationship dates back to 2019 when Silva convinced Everton to spend £35 million to sign Iwobi from his boyhood club, Arsenal. However, Silva was dismissed just four months later following Everton’s poor run of results, leaving Iwobi to work under several managers, including Carlo Ancelotti, Rafael Benítez and Frank Lampard.

Those years were challenging. Iwobi frequently switched positions and often found himself playing as a wing-back as Everton struggled near the bottom of the Premier League table.

His fortunes changed when Silva brought him to Fulham in 2023. Now, with the coach settled in Lisbon, Benfica could attempt a third reunion.

The attraction is obvious for Iwobi. Benfica offer regular UEFA Champions League football, annual title challenges and the security of working with a manager who completely trusts him. Remaining in England would mean adapting to a new Fulham coach and an uncertain tactical role.

Yet leaving the Premier League would not be an easy decision. Iwobi has spent his entire senior career in England and would need to adjust to a different football culture, language and lifestyle in Portugal.

Champions League football, trophies and a legacy decision

A move to Benfica could also help Alex Iwobi address two major gaps in his career.

The first is European football. The 30-year-old has not played in continental competition since Arsenal’s run to the 2018-19 Europa League final in Baku, where he scored in the defeat to Chelsea. Since then, seven seasons at Everton and Fulham have kept him away from Europe’s biggest competitions.

Joining Benfica would immediately return him to the Champions League stage and give him the opportunity to test himself against Europe’s elite clubs once again.

The second is silverware. Iwobi’s last major trophy came in 2017 when he helped Arsenal win the FA Cup before lifting the Community Shield later that year. Since then, no further honours have followed.

At Benfica, expectations are completely different. The Portuguese giants begin every season aiming to win the Primeira Liga, the Taça de Portugal and the Taça da Liga. For a player approaching the latter stages of his peak years, the chance to compete for trophies every season could be difficult to ignore.

Having recently turned 30, Iwobi finds himself at a defining moment. He can remain in the Premier League, where he is respected and comfortable, or embrace a new challenge in Portugal with the promise of Champions League football, title races and another reunion with the coach who has shaped much of his career.

If Benfica make the move, it may prove to be the final major transfer decision of Iwobi’s career, and perhaps the one that defines his legacy.