Everton very interested in negotiating new deal for 27-year-old playmaker

Add as preferred source on Google

Everton are in negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur over structuring a deal for Dele Alli, whose contract expires in the summer.

The Toffees signed Dele Alli in February 2022 on the basis that if he made 20 appearances, Spurs would receive £10m, but the two clubs are now thought to be in talks regarding a new structure, as per The Express.

Dele has made 13 appearances for the Merseysiders so far and is recovering from a serious muscle injury which required surgery.

Everton, whose financial problems are well documented, appear completely disincentivised to play the 37-cap England international, which has prompted the North Londoners to make a proposal.

Everton in negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur over Dele

Tottenham are believed to be chasing a deal that would see them paid regardless of the number of appearances Dele makes with Everton.

Toffees chiefs already rejected a similar proposal last summer but it appears negotiations are back open ahead of the summer when his deal at Goodison Park expires.

The former Spurs playmaker has been plagued by injury over the last year, or so, and is currently sidelined with no return date mentioned.

Though, the 27-year-old is back in training and appears to be nearing a return to the first-team squad, over 18 months after his last outing for the club.

With that news, Everton are reportedly eager to re-sign Dele to a new deal.

Everton eager to keep Dele beyond his contract

Sean Dyche has spoken highly of Dele during his tenure at the club and noted in November that he’s been taking on board his advice.

“He seems to me to be very secure in himself. He’s more than happy to share what he is thinking,” the Everton boss said.

“There is no angle, no win or lose. He’s just sharing his thoughts – you forget that he has experienced some really big things in football. He’s played in a Champions League final, he’s played in a World Cup semi-final. These are amazing things he’s experienced. People, sometimes, lose sight of that.

I’m not accusing anyone of anything, that’s just the way it is. He’s worked with some really big managers, very good managers with interesting ways of playing. Why wouldn’t I go: ‘Dele what’s your thoughts?’ I trust these players. It takes time.”

So, given Dyche’s previous words on Dele, it perhaps shouldn’t come as a surprise that he’s keen to tie the midfielder down to a new contract.

Everton are also eager to reach a new agreement with Spurs, as it appears the £10m fee would put them in a perilous position financially.