Everton in talks over Dele Alli's future

Not got a leg to stand on Spurs, Levy would not even pay the ten grand, if it was the other way around.

Up yours, Levy, you greedy sod.

We don't need a lad who could break down any minute — free transfer or not!

Still a long way back for him but a sensible contract (£30k basic p/w, doubled when he makes appearances?) will hopefully be offered if he can get himself properly fit.

Ironically, he'd be good in the spot behind the striker that we've hopefully just signed Ndiaye for.

We need some pace out wide and a stronger right-back and we'll be in decent shape presuming we don't lose anyone bar Onana (it's gone quiet on him).

Surely this contract is illegal under the Bosman ruling?
Wasn't that rule brought in for exactly this reason?
Clubs don't own players, they are contracted to them; when the contract is up, they have no say in what the player wishes to do.

We will see what type of character Dele is now. Does he repay the time, patience, faith, goodwill Everton have shown him by fighting to get a better deal for us if we wanted to re-sign him ?

If he just goes and signs for someone else, then It would be a slap in the face to all the people at the club.

I reckon he has a touch of genius in him. I hope we sign him on a sensible contract.

If he is back in a better place and fit, then he's head and shoulders above anything we currently have.

Good luck to him but his career at the highest levels, the Premier League in particular, is over.

We need to sign young talent with resalable upside. Dele is not the player we should even consider signing.

That said, I am not sure if the echoes reporting is any more credible than this report on Euro 2024 final:

"Bruce Forsyth's ghost lives in my car drinking tinnies – he knows who'll win the Euros"

"Dele training with the club with the potential of a new deal, Everton would only need to pay Spurs if, (once he's signed a new contract with Everton), there is a future sale."

The argument against Dele is don't pay good money after bad, paid £12 million in wages, and should not be football romantics, according to Gav, on the Blue Echo podcast today. Those arguments are fair but isn't that a glass half empty view?

Case for Dele:

1) We know he has a lot of potential as we saw when he made an impact keeping us up against Crystal Palace away, under Frank;

2) He scored some good goals for Besiktas;

3) I believe Myers and, if he is right, we get a player for free and his wages are very likely modest now, I can't see it being over £20k a week;

4) We paid £25M for Beto and pay his wages which are likely slightly north of £50k a week;

5) How much would it cost to get a player now with even 50% of his former glory?

6) Dyche likes him and Dele had been making huge efforts.

7) Dyche gave Calvert-Lewin his career back when he could have been finished;

8) We would not get a player like Dele if it was Luton that took the chance on him, as they did with Ross Barkley – not quite the same, I know!

Too many issues for me, but Dyche will have seen him at close quarters, so I would have to respect his view – whatever that may be.

I think it would be extremely selfish of us to try to hold on to him, no matter what it cost us, when he could be as vital to some other mugs, I mean club, as he has been to us.

Does the ghost shout out "Good game, good game"?

If we somehow entered a stupid deal that means we have to pay them even in these circumstances, then he should sign on a free for Tranmere (or anyone else who wants to have good terms with Everton) and we can buy him off them for a £1.

I'd need a lawyer to explain to me how Tottenham can have any say in this. And if they do, someone at Everton made a ridiculous agreement a couple of years ago.

I expect that most people on here were surprised with what Ross delivered last season for a reported £15k/week. I would like to see us take a similar chance with Dele Alli.

Makes a lot of sense to me. If he is working hard and his head is on right, offer him a short contract as an option to show us what he can do.

He'll either come back and be a sensation, or he'll disappear quickly.

I reckon Spurs have such a scenario covered though.

Either he is deluded or he has the self-belief of historical proportions.

I agree that it all boils down to what Dyche thinks of him and what Thelwell is prepared to offer.

Okay, there have been extenuating circumstances but it's time to let him go. Good luck, Dele Alli.

I am also beginning to believe Dele is serious about this opportunity. They have made him wait, he isn't making selfish noises; I say let it ride and see.

Levy worried we might run down his initial contract and then sell him under a new one.

Make him a free agent, £5M signing on fee and sell for £20M and we are £15M up on the deal.

It's not necessarily that I have faith in Dele's ability to resume his career at top level. It's that I have faith in Dyche and Thelwell.

David #14 and Dale #24 make the key point. Dyche has been closely, intimately involved with the player from the moment he arrived. He and Thelwell guided him into the psychological counseling he needed, and Dyche saw him on the training pitch at full speed, or close to it, before the setback. They've seen him at his very lowest, and they know him better than anybody. If they want him back, that's good enough for me.

As to what Dele wants, I would expect him to have strong feelings for Everton at this point, but he's the only one who can make that clear. The April interview does seem to reflect a young man whose priorities have finally been sorted.

I guess the decision rests with: Would he be a better investment than some of the others we are looking at? And, as you say, only Dyche and Thelwell can make that call.

I hope I am wrong. Would be a terrific player if he finds back to his old shoe tricks.

Dont really know about this one..

A decent enough player like but his injury list is longer than Calvert-Lewin's!

As far as playing again for England... that ship has long sailed off into the distance!

And so the plan is to give him a new contract?

Wow, but then it's like Farhad said, once you're part of the Everton family, it's for life.

Just cos we've paid him £15M for three starts, that doesn't mean we're still not good for another five. Only fair.

If Levy wants a slice of action after the dud he sold us, then let him go. Absolutely no more proper money spent on this guy. Personally I think his health and fitness are shot but he is worth a very low-cost punt.

I would hope he will show some consideration for all the tens of millions we have given him while not actually playing and be humble and flexible (unlike Calvert-Lewin who appears to be running down his contract so he can get a mega signing-on fee next season).

If he is that keen to return, a low-paying pay-to-play contract is all he is worth, in my opinion. And if he is out of contract, what have Spurs got to do with it?

At the heart of this is a player who has obviously had some interesting times over the last few years.

None of us know the intricacies of the original deal, so speculating about it is a bit pointless. However, to be fair to Dele Alli, something needs to be sorted out, even if it's only for his own well-being and then all parties including Dele Alli can move forwards.

Then some ToffeeWebbers can also move on and perhaps find the next player to criticise the club over.

And to replace who? Bellingham, Foden, Palmer, Mainoo, Rice? Get real lad. Next time your alarm goes off, Dele, think about EFC and what they have done for you.

Actually doing so, and being anywhere near a Premier League regular nevermind a member of the England World Cup squad, is another thing.

But I sure would love to see it happen; even better if as a Blue.

Wayne Rooney knew he was the best player in Everton at the time, we're not talking about Ronaldo CR7, we're talking about an intelligent man that Dele is.

Dyche is into the way that players' minds work. Dele believes in himself and Dyche believes in him. I don't think this is blind faith. It's almost like positive mental manifestation, such as what Jesus said in ancient times, "Believe you have received and it shall be yours." Dele sees it, not just believes it.

Anthony Gordon when being interviewed by Gary Neville, said, "I manifested it before I got on the pitch. Dyche believes that Dele, to return to him, believes Dele still has it.

How many had written off Calvert-Lewinoff when he was like the Weetabix man for a time? Dyche could have said, "We'll move on from Calvert-Lewin" … but he never. Talent is talent and the mind is the mind.

The ancient Greek for 'heart' is broadly driven, passionate, for something. Motivation, also meaning heart is what Dele is showing. He is a multi-millionaire and could live the rest of his life without kicking another ball. Look at him in training, this guy is serious.

I don't think he will struggle if he's fit enough to play centre-midfield with no expectations to burst into the box all the time, but just occassionally. As long as Jimmy is behind him.

He will be a good sub for Gana as well to get the most out of Gana over the season.

He did well in a very good Spurs team under Pochettino and scored a good few goals arriving late into the box. Never a great footballer with the ball at his feet and that is why he has struggled elsewhere.

I just don't think we are going to be playing the style of football that would suit him, so please send him on his way back to Spurs and sign a young winger or a decent right-back.

It seems like Dyche likes him, and Dele realises that the club has been good to him, so it could work out for everyone, if he gets a contract on vastly reduced terms that could be renegotiated later if he does the business.

If this happens, it makes me wonder whether Doucoure could get games in the role he had under Carlo, of a defensive midfielder, because we will now have lots of options playing off the No 9, with Ndiaye and Dele.

With Dele – and if he's 50 ish % of his former glory, we're not getting a Dele-like player save we pay many millions.

Levy was very shrewd when he put clauses in to deal with all eventualities. Contract is one thing that surpasses 'out of contract with Everton.'

Dele is out of contract by way of duration but Levy cleverly incorporated a clause that dealt with out of contract scenario such as a sell-on clause.

I don't know how Levy could be entitled to triggered payment outside the contract duration but an incorporated clause post contract duration is feasible.

I personally doubt a player can have as long out the game as Dele and come back anywhere near the player he was. But to give him a normal player contract with a fixed salary would be beyond madness.

If anybody else gets Dele, it's a clean slate. So it does make sense a clause incorporated at the time the contract was made is something Levy can do but performance related payments the £10-40 million, I cannot see how that is legal (civil wise).

Consideration would be an issue as that would mean the consideration would have to be retroactive.

Have we learned nothing from the signings of the likes of Nyarko, Gazza, and Shandy Andy?

Get well by all means, lad, but not at our further expense please.

Sadly, another Gbamin, and I don't mean that in a bad way, just unfortunate with injuries.

Dyche is surprising, say what you want about the man, but one thing he knows is how our players tick.

I would rather take a chance on Dele than keep Beto and pay Beto's wages. Dele had got the touch and knows where the net is.

Did anyone see Kevin Sheedy taking free kicks at his age on Howard's Way, showing us what he did in the '80s?

Will it work? Who knows? It will either raise Thelwell and Dyche or both will bear the fallout if not successful. Sometimes taking calculated risks might be worth it.

I think Myers is right and I think The Athletic has misunderstood Contracts 101; either that or football contracts continue after the contract has finished.

It would have to be a new contract for something, an asset you no longer own. Dele would also have to agree to a retroactive contract and Everton would have to be dummies to agree to new terms during the previous contract. It could never be legal.

Neverending Story has become the Neverending Contract or the Mandela effect.

Go and sign a 1-year deal somewhere. If he's personally desperate to play for Everton, then he can initiate that discussion in 12 months.

Scenario. Contract term: where Dele's contract terms end with Spurs, on its expiry Everton shall still be bound for any situation that arises with Everton and that shall continue until Everton have disposed of the asset and or where Dele disposes of everyone.

Concerning the former situation for an eventuality that may or may not arise insofar as Spurs (as offeror) contract with Everton (as offeree) duly expires, though Everton retain possession of Dele, that Everton shall be bound by way of re-triggering of payment clause on its default, with the same effect as previous trigger payments: £10M per 20 appearances and/or payments advancing up to and including at its maximum £40M.

I wish him no harm but it's time to move on.

There was no substance to it... like a Ponzi scheme or Dutch Tulip mania or perhaps even the Tanganyika groundnut scheme.

Jude Bellingham is yet another of these over-hyped, ill-fated phenomena.

It wouldn't surprise me if Levy has even covered a situation where a new owner takes over Everton who has an interest in another club who loans him back to Everton.

That contract should be put in the museum as an historical artefact. No, I don't actually think Levy has thought of a new owner and loan back to Everton.

In his own mind, he probably knows that those days have now passed for him. The important thing is ambition and drive.

If that daily reminder is what is motivating him to get out onto the pitch, train hard and do the very best he can, Everton will benefit – and that, surely, is what we want?

Amazed by that perspective. I feel almost the opposite - thought he looked classier than most in our squad even when past his best. His touch and eye for a creative pass were outstanding.

I remember a draw against Spurs at Goodison for which the media were hyping up him and Barkley. Think they might have both scored... but he outshone Ross by some distance in my eyes.

Given our current situation, and the feeling that such quality surely can't evaporate altogether, I reckon he's worth a punt.

Everton have a contract with Dele Alli which is time related.

Everton have a contract with Spurs which is appearance related.

Neither are related.

So you're saying Myers is wrong and time continues if Everton give Dele a new contract? So that would mean whilst Dele is in Everton possession, Spurs will always have control?

If so, that contract is outrageous and explains why no one else wanted the contract with Spurs.

I'm happy to concede that I might be wrong, it wouldn't be the first time.

Jude Bellingham has been the best player on the pitch in men's professional games since he was 16.

By the time he was 18, he was already an England international and looking completely like he belonged on that stage.

He's been the best player at the best club in possibly the best league in the world, also winning the Champions League, all before the age of 21.

I've seen some attention-seeking contrarianism in my time, but wow, wow, wow.

If Sean Dyche believes that's possible, let it happen.

Bring in Netflix who can make a good comeback documentary. His journey from high to low then struggle to get back to the top is still a good story. Good image for the club which is supporting him throughout his difficult days, rather than kicking him out.

I think a fit and motivated Dele Alli would be a great addition to our squad. Maybe Dyche and Thelwell think also think so.

Bar a miracle, I don't see any viable path for Dele to stay at Everton as a player. But who knows?

I sense the management of Everton FC will improve at all levels.

Clearly Thewell and Dyche think so; otherwise, there wouldn't be discussions between the clubs. It's a risk, but a relatively small one for Everton, the upside would be tremendous for both club and player should it work.

I would give it a go if we didn't have to fork out money up front to Spurs. We could always offer them Calvert-Lewin for Richarlison and incorporate Dele in the deal… That would work!

Then cut him lose or sign him on favourable terms. He is very very unlikely to play Premier League football again, however.

No, seriously, I don't give a crap people thought my suggestion was ludicrous because the only reason I wrote that piece was because Dyche and the club have been making signals they may keep him and I assumed they were being honest versus polite.

As I said in that article and others have said in this, I'd be inclined to roll the dice assuming wages are significantly lower and or performance-based. Clearly we shouldn't offer him anything close to the money he was on. But a short-term, more modest wage with incentives based on performance?

Let's be honest, it would be money better spent for the gamble versus what we know we will get from Holgate in the next year. Odds are definitely against him but, with conservative wages, to me, the potential upside makes it a no-brainer — assuming Myers is right and we don't have to pay millions to Spurs.

You were definitely ahead of the curve with your article. I admire the way Dyche, Thelwell and others have worked with Dele Alli. I don't think that Myers is right and I do think a clause could exist in the contract beyond the free agent end.

I am hopeful that Everton can turn Dele Alli around; as you and others have said, this would be worthwhile if we negotiate better terms with Spurs.

I am still incensed by the original deal and the parties involved for what I believe was their own dubious ends.

Dele was already training with the first team when he suffered his setback. Dyche is making this decision based on already having seen him with the varsity squad.

Kieran #76,

If, along about November, Dele is running our central midfield, you can pull that column back out and serve up a buffet table of crow to a whole lot of people.

Sean is a very practical and pragmatic manager, so I trust his judgement.

Spurs will compromise with a sell-on fee clause as they will get zero if he signs for another club.

Spurs will dictate some of the terms and conditions of any deal but, that aside, if Dele Alli proves that he is an asset over 12 months, then he may be worth a punt, but only on our terms. Either way, he is on thin ground and will need to prove himself.

I agree, but think that Spurs would get a fee if he signs for another club.

Yes, it is possible for a player to have a clause in their contract that involves a fee even after they become a free agent at the end of their contract. These types of clauses, known as sell-on clauses or future transfer clauses, allow the player's previous club to receive a percentage of any transfer fee if the player is transferred again after leaving on a free transfer.

Everton also have a transfer clause regarding a fee that goes beyond the end of the contract.

I know the latter is really stupid but, when you look at the character involved, there must have been a reason.

"If we do owe Tottenham Hotspur money if he extends his stay, I'd cut him loose after 2 years of failure on £100k a week."

Perhaps you had a memory lapse? In a more balanced moment, you might recognize that a wide range of views were posted on that thread… as on this.

People keep suggesting "pay-as-you-play" and reduced basic wages… I seriously question whether such concepts actually exist in elite professional football?

I just don't believe many players accept new contracts on smaller wages.

“Well, did not expect this. Feels like a bit of a gamble after some smarter financial decisions this summer – unless it's hugely reduced terms/pay as you play, of course. Really hope it pays off. Doubt it will.”

So what do I know…

If it happens, I'll call him Lazarus from then on.

On Dele Alli, I struggle to see it. He's not played a full season with impact for 5 years now. That's a really long time to expect someone to turn it on in elite sport.

I hope we have a good look at him in pre-season before opening up the cheque book. He's taken enough in wages for what he's delivered.

We allowed that ex-Liverpool manager to rob us of seeing this talented footballer, and he is in a different league to Dele.

I think "pay as you play" is the contract renewal equivalent of the "swap deal". Talked about a lot by media and supporters. Never really happens.

In theory, you could contract someone on a pay-as-you-play basis. Low salary, big appearance bonuses.

But why would players do that when someone will be willing to offer them a guaranteed salary?

I'm sure Dele will get a deal somewhere. I can understand why he might see a renewal with us as being the best offer he can get. I can't really understand why we would even entertain the idea.

He did his quad. It's an injury that takes a long time to fully heal and has plenty of recurrences and setbacks along the way. Time eventually healed him.

Don't you believe that the player should show some form of appreciation, commitment, and dare I say loyalty to the club and people at the club who have helped him through a dark time in his life and career?

I know it's hard to expect from modern footballers. Shouldn't the lad be the one saying "I'll accept smaller basic pay and bonuses for appearances" – showing his commitment to get back playing regularly?

In my opinion, it should be Dele making all the effort, concessions and compromise to prove to the club that it's worth the risk.

At a big basic wage again on a 2- or 3-year deal, do you think he's worth the risk?

I can understand why he was allegedly chased across the ocean, now he's started talking again! (He talks some absolute pony, that Wyeness…)

Dele Alli has become an intriguing story. I read the words of some clever posters who seem to have already written him off… but then I look at the decision by people within the club who want to re-sign him, and these people owe Dele Alli, nothing.

My own view is that, if Dele Alli, is serious, he will be prepared to sign a year-long contract on very little money, thankful that he his being given a chance in a place that he must feel really comfortable…

I wouldn't consider anything more than playing him to prove to another club that he might offer something but that would have to be in the U21s.

It's all well and good saying that he's having a troubled time but, by the time that phase of his life has passed by, he could be in his mid-thirties or older.

He's clearly quite immature and has abused the privilege of the contracts he's been on, being paid massive money in his career.

You don't go from being a key component in a side playing Champions League football and playing in World Cup Semi Finals for you're nation to a nondescript waste of skin within three years unless there are serious deep issues.

I'd love him to return to where he was 6 or 7 years ago but at the age of 28 I'd imagine its downhill from here.

We'd be better looking at players that will actually be on the football pitch and could contribute 7,8, 9 or 10 goals if given a full season.

I'm still surprised we don't check out a deal for Brereton Diaz.

Has a goal in him, not prolific of course but he's shown some ability to find the net and in a full season he'd get you 9 or 10 I imagine.

Hope we know what we are doing.

As for Dele, it’s ridiculous to contemplate his signing. I suspect, after so long out of the Premier League, he’ll go the way of Lingaard, Ravel Morrison, Balotelli, Rodwell etc who all either had inflated opinions of themselves, attitude problems, injuries, signed for the wrong team etc and just “fell off a cliff”. Only Barkley seems to have come the other side successfully. I suspect, if he’s not careful, Kalvin Phillips may end up going down that route.

Can’t believe as a free agent, Everton, would owe Spurs anything for Dele. Sell on clauses / transfer cuts etc cannot be applicable if we don’t own him.

The only scenario that I could see being applicable is that we would owe Tottenham if we re-signed Dele. That would be applicable to stop Everton allowing his contract to run down (as we did) and then signing him on again for free.

But why would Everton throw more money at Dele with there being a high risk of failure?

Good luck to the lad. I hope he succeeds - elsewhere.

Footballers in those days were on about £100 a week.

Remember, both Ross and Dele were on the piss in London, so maybe Dele is thinking if it can work for Ross that it can work for Dele. What is the real risk, £20k a week for a year?

I would only give him a year like Luton with Ross and £15-20k a week. Then see what happens after.

Yeah, Spurs pulled our pants down by paying the wages of a player whose mind was elsewhere but he seems on it now. Look I'll bet he'll still be better at his worst than Beto at his best. I think it's a no-brainer.

The lad never puts a foot wrong and is a great passer of the ball but struggles to impose himself on a game the way that people like De Bruyne do.

It's a mentality thing but, at only 22, he has plenty of time and ability to grow.

I was one of those 200,000. I'll never forget that day standing in Castle Street watching them waving from the town hall balcony.

Paul is 100% correct.

Spurs will get absolutely nothing if Dele becomes a free agent and signs for another club. I don't quite see, however, how this renders all of the previous posts "null and void".

At a guess, I would say that one game alone more than paid for his wages. I personally think it is a risk worth taking, if anything look how many wrote Andros Townsend off, but yet he put in some very good performances last season.

If Dyche and Thelwell see something in him, I will back their judgement.

Obviously I didn't get across my point in this post which was meant to be faux outrage and intended as a joke.

"I didn't get across my point in this post which was meant to be faux outrage and intended as a joke."

I shall try harder to filter your posts accordingly.

"But why would Everton throw more money at Dele with there being a high risk of failure?"

Because the manager has seen him in training for months, and he believes he's worth the risk.

Everton have reached an agreement with Tottenham to waive paying a further fee when offering Dele Alli a new contract.

The Blues did not pay an immediate fee for the midfielder's transfer from Spurs in January 2022, but the north London side would previously have been due a payment had he met the threshold for a certain number of appearances, and were also in line to receive money had Dele agreed a new contract at Goodison Park before now.

The 28-year-old has yet to be offered a new contract and will have to prove his fitness under Sean Dyche in pre-season.

The agreement gives Dele, who is returning from a long-term injury, a pathway back into first-team Premier League football – should Everton opt to renew his contract which expired at the end of June.

Dele is believed to be close to returning to full fitness and will be given a chance to train and play in pre-season.

The 37-cap England international is looking to get his career back on track. He spoke in an emotional interview in July 2023 about his childhood, mental health issues and time spent in rehab.

Many of the remaining parts of the January 2022 deal between Everton and Tottenham are still in place, including performance-related bonuses due to Spurs based on Dele's activity on the pitch and a sell-on clause.

Nazaar was my secret source. Good Irish name.

My older sister wanted to go but my dad wouldn't let her. He blamed all the world's woes on their long hair and “shouty music”.

There are people on here who seem to believe everyone else was born yesterday.

Fair point but I'd be astonished if Dele were to be offered anywhere near the £100k pw that he was supposed to be earning. That would be too big a risk.

My guess is that we'll watch him in pre-season training before deciding. But I'd be astonished if he made a successful comeback. Being out of the Premier League for the best part of two years is too big a hurdle to overcome.

This is a football club – not an extension of the Priory Clinic. Move on – there's better and more committed players out there.

Bonus for getting to Champions League or even Europe itself? Okay, fair enough. If anything more Draconian to Everton, I would not take the risk.

I don't care if Dele hangs around like Charles Dickens-esque Oliver Twist "Please sir, give me more" [money] like a bad smell, begging for a contract in preseason. No means no!

He has played one good half for us, flunked in Turkey, and hasn't kicked a ball for nearly 18 months. That's a looooong road back and I can't see any logic in keeping him on.

I know we haven't offered a contract yet so let's wait and see but I would have thought a season in Holland would be a much better idea for him.

Good luck, Dele, I hope you manage to have a career again but just can't see it with us I'm afraid.

If he gets himself fit, plays in pre-season friendlies, and shows his past level of ability, he could be a useful asset to us.

All that being said, we should perhaps hand him a 3-month rolling contract, based upon commitment and performance, then he fully understands what is required of him.

And since he has travelled to Ireland, can he play as a “non-contract” player? If he takes part in any friendlies, has he effectively signed another contract of some description?

I know Academy players can be played as non-contract players but first-team players …? The insurance ramifications alone for someone like Dele must be complicated.

Tell Thelwell to pay £5,000 a week of Alli's contract if he dosn't play. Give Alli a 3-month contract and pay if you play.

Joke of a club even thinking of giving him a contract. He should be paying Everton back some of the money he's fleeced out of us. And I thought Kenwright had gone…