Dele Alli transfer roundup: Tottenham-Everton deal, registration loophole and Serie A lifeline
Dele Alli could still play in the Premier League before the end of the year despite Everton presenting their team until January.
The former England international he is still a free agent after the expiration of his contract with the Toffees but continues to train with the club.
The 28 year old He has not been registered at Goodison Park since June but has been offered the opportunity to continue demonstrating his fitness.
Dele has not played competitive soccer since the 0-0 draw against Antalyaspor in February 2023 while on loan at Besiktas.
The last appearance of the English international with 37 caps for Everton dates back to August 2022.
That was his 13th and final game for the Toffees since arriving from Tottenham eight months earlier. due to injuries and off-field problems.
Dele detailed his inspiring return from childhood trauma that cut short his career during an emotional interview in July 2023.
Fortunately for everyone involved, the attacking midfielder has been on the road to a physical and mental recovery this year.
He can even continue playing for Everton before January 2025 due to a loophole in the special deadline.
Here, talkSPORT.com looks at Dele's situation.
Dele Alli: transfer summary
Tottenham and Everton agreement
When Dele left Tottenham To join Everton in January 2022, the Toffees initially paid no fee.
Spurs would have been due a payment if the player had reached a certain appearance threshold or signed a new contract with Everton.
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The terms of Dele's original contract at Goodison Park, which expired this summer, created financial complications for cash-strapped Everton to offer him an extension.
However, Spurs agreed to restructure the deal in July to waive the initial lump sum that would have been due under any new contract and instead focused potential future payments on a selling fee and performance-related bonuses.
That paved the way for Dele to begin the process of negotiating new terms with Everton as he seeks to demonstrate his aptitude.
He is training with Sean Dyche's team, but as a free agent he cannot play, not even for the under-21 team.
Everton were said to be organizing special matches to give Dele the chance to prove his fitness.
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Legal loophole in deadline day
Everton has presented its squad of 25 players until February 2025.
Free agents can register immediately at any time of the year, as long as there is space or the player is under 21 years old.
Fortunately for Dele, Everton's deadline day transfer fees have ensured the club is below the maximum threshold.
Everton sent Mason Holgate on loan to West Brom, while Billy Crellin was also loaned to Accrington Stanley.
The substitute goalkeeper is 24 years old, so he would have counted as part of the senior squad, but since they have left, there are two free places.
What happens next?
Well, Everton sporting director Kevin Thelwell has suggested that Dyche and Dele want their relationship to continue.
He is currently a free agent but can sign a contract with Everton at any time.
Speaking about Dele, Thelwell told BBC Sounds last month: “We're in a good place now with Tottenham.
“We have an agreement with those boys about what happens next if we sign him and he would love to play for Everton in the Premier League and we would love for that to happen too because the boy has been through a very difficult time.”
That trail appears to have cooled in recent weeks, but a club in Italy has reportedly thrown a lifeline to Dele.
According to an Italian media Century XIXSerie A side Genoa have scouted him as a possible replacement for their injured midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi.
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Meanwhile, Dele still believes he can be a top player in the Premier League despite a difficult few years due to injuries and off-field problems.
“I know how good I can be when my head is in the right place and I feel good. Obviously, I'm disappointed with the injury right now, but I'm excited to start playing.
“It's hard for me to even watch football. It's been hard for me, I would say, these last eight months have been hard to watch.
“You know you can set reminders on your phone. I have a reminder at 11 o'clock every day that says: 'World Cup 2026'.
“That's my goal for now. I think people will say, 'He hasn't played in a year,' but I don't care, I know my level.”
