Everton have reportedly reached a full agreement to sign Dele Alli from Tottenham before the transfer deadline.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, a deal has been agreed between Everton and Tottenham over a permanent move that will see midfield Dele Alli heading to Merseyside with medical imminent in the coming hours. The 25-year-old has struggled for playing time under Antonio Conte, and Tottenham look set to part ways with the player in the final hours of deadline day.
Alli came into the limelight at Spurs after joining from MK Dons in 2015. He was a major component of the Tottenham side that achieved consistent top-four finishes under the tutelage of Mauricio Pochettino.
Since Pochettino departed, nothing has gone according to plan for the 25-year-old, who has seen his playing time plummet drastically. He has failed to gain the trust of Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo or Antonio Conte and has made just four league appearances since September.
The England star has also lost his place in the national team setup. With the 2022 World Cup now less than a year away, he desperately needs game time to impress Gareth Southgate. Once a rising star, it seems as though a permanent move away from north London would be the only way to reignite his career and show his prime form.
Everton and Tottenham are now signing contracts for Dele Alli deal. Here we go confirmed ?? #EFC
Details: free transfer, €12m after 20 games and bonuses for next years.
It could reach €35/40m but of course depends on Dele/team performances.
? More: https://t.co/75Kv13B4Bq pic.twitter.com/hq1sW3XqE9
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 31, 2022
Newcastle United and Crystal Palace had been heavily linked with a move for Alli throughout the January window, and a move to North East looked to be on the cards. However, Everton and Lampard have swooped in late to secure the signature of the England international.
With Everton’s two domestic loans already fulfilled by Donny van de Beek and Anwar El Ghazi, it is understood that newly-appointed Toffees’ boss Lampard pushed the Everton hierarchy to get Dele Alli on a permanent deal to add more creativity and dynamism to his midfield roster.
A more possession-based approach is expected under Lampard than in the previous regime. Alli could be a perfect fit with his excellent work-rate, technical quality and dribbling ability. He is primarily an attacking midfielder but can also slot in as a box-to-box midfielder or operate as a left-sided wide player if required.
Everton boast some technically-sound midfielders and forwards. Abdoulaye Doucoure and Allan have previously formed a solid partnership in a double pivot. In Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Demarai Gray, they have attackers who can make runs in behind, and Alli could drift in a floating eight role to churn out quality chances.
Furthermore, Lampard seems to be the kind of manager who can get the best out of him and get his career back on track. Romano adds that Alli will be signing for Everton for free, but Tottenham will be owed €12 million once he makes 20 appearances. There are more bonuses included in the agreement, which could take the overall cost of the transfer to around €40 million in the coming years.
The imminent acquisitions of Alli and van de Beek will certainly offer Lampard plenty of quality midfield options and it will be interesting to see how he will set up his side.
