Everton reach agreement with Dele Alli at Goodison Park amid Tottenham transfer twist

Everton have agreed to give midfielder Dele Alli time to focus on his recovery after undergoing groin surgery in January.

That is according to the Sunday Mirror, with the publication reporting in its print edition that he may have played his last game for the Toffees.Alli last played a competitive match in February 2023 while playing for Besiktas in the Turkish league, having moved there on loan from Goodison Park.

“Dele Alli may have already played his last game for Everton – much to Tottenham’s frustration,” according to the Sunday Mirror (page 71, 18 February). “Spurs are due a £10million payment once Dele clocks up 20 appearances for the Toffees.

“He is currently on 13 but now looks incredibly unlikely to reach the landmark, which Tottenham unsuccessfully tried to renegotiate in early December. Everton want to swerve the payment as they seek to keep their finances in check after being deducted 10 points for breaching profit and sustainability rules.

The publication added that “Everton have now agreed to give the midfielder time to focus on his recovery.”

Everton to lose Alli?

It does seem very likely that Alli will leave Goodison Park sooner rather than later, with the midfielder enduring a torrid time on Merseyside.

Alli was once a star for Tottenham and England, but his career has rapidly gone downhill since then, with the player undoubtedly troubled by matters off the pitch.

It is a sad state of affairs, but the Toffees could look to use that to their advantage in order to avoid paying a £10million fee to their Premier League rivals.

The midfielder is out with an injury, but there is perhaps an idea that he will not be used between now and the end of the season even if fit, even amid the club’s struggles on the pitch.

He needs just seven more Everton appearances to hit that target, but it seems highly unlikely that he will make even one more appearance, never mind seven.

Toffees boss Sean Dyche has dealt with the situation admirably, and is undoubtedly giving plenty of help to the former England ace. He clearly needs it, with many just hoping that he can still get back to his best, although that is a long way away.