Everton manager Sean Dyche claims that the club are preparing to open talks with Tottenham in an effort to renegotiate the terms of Dele Alli’s transfer. The 27-year-old arrived at Goodison Park last year as part of a complicated arrangement, which promises to land Spurs incremental fees when certain requirements are met.
Although Alli departed Spurs on a free, the first £10million is set to be banked in north London when he surpasses 20 appearances for Everton. So far, the attacking midfielder has notched 13, and the Toffees’ desperate financial situation has forced Dyche to admit that discussions may need to restart.
“When he is fit and well I am sure [sporting director] Kevin [Thelwell] will go to Tottenham and say, ‘Right, how can we make this work for everyone’. It has never been at that stage so we have to wait for it,” explained the former Burnley boss.
Alli was signed by former Everton manager Frank Lampard in January last year. If all performance-related add-ons are met, Spurs would be due £40m under the terms of the current deal.
But the 27-year-old struggled to make an impact across his first few appearances in blue. Injuries cut short Alli’s disastrous loan spell with Besiktas last campaign and he is yet to make a competitive appearance this season.
“He was training with us, warming up and doing the drills, and he strikes the ball and is knocked back to square one,” added Dyche. “It was a real blow to him.
The former England international went down a storm during his first three seasons at Tottenham, scoring 46 goals in all competitions and forming a deadly relationship with Harry Kane.
It remains to be seen whether he can rediscover that kind of form with the Toffees, who are winless and in the relegation zone ahead of their trip to Brentford on Saturday afternoon.
