Dele Alli: Everton have landed ‘bargain’ £10m-plus deal as details emerge – pundit
The deal that took Dele Alli from Tottenham to Everton means the onus is on him to succeed – and the Toffees have a bargain either way.
That is the view of former Leeds striker Noel Whelan, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the mercurial 25-year-old’s Goodison Park switch.
Alli, who had fallen out of favour at Spurs, signed a two-and-a-half-year contract when he joined the Toffees on deadline day.
Per the Telegraph‘s Matt Law last Monday (31 January), the deal is an initial free transfer bolstered by a £10million top-up after he plays 20 games.
The total price of the deal could reach as high as £40m depending on performance-related add-ons, according to Sky Sports the following day.
Whelan insists that Everton have done well to ensure that they will only take a big financial hit if Alli performs on the pitch.
“It’s good business for everyone involved,” he told Football Insider‘s Russell Edge.
“It puts the onus on the player to make things happen. As much as Everton wanted him, he’s still got to go and earn it.
“You are going into the unknown with Alli given what we’ve seen from him in the last few years. There are question marks there.
“You’re sticking your neck out, hoping that he turns into that £40m player. That’s where Frank Lampard comes in.
“Everyone wants him to succeed. If he turns out like he used to play, what a bargain it will be.”
Alli could make his Everton debut in Lampard’s second match at the helm against Newcastle United tomorrow (8 February).
He was unveiled at half-time in the Toffees’ 4-1 Fa Cup win over Brentford last Saturday (5 February).
In other news, pundit suggests Duncan Ferguson could quit Everton for manager’s job amid Lampard reveal.