Everton prepared to ‘write off’ Dele Alli as ‘huge’ claim issued – pundit
Danny Mills has suggested Everton are prepared to “write off” Dele Alli because he has not come in for a “huge” fee.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Man City and England defender insisted signing Dele was always a “gamble” and it has not paid off yet.
The midfielder, who turned 26 on Monday (11 April), has been an unused substitute in Everton’s last four Premier League games and is yet to start a top-flight game since his January switch from Tottenham.
As quoted by the Guardian at the beginning of the month (1 April), Frank Lampard insisted Dele still feels he has a lot to prove and has not lost any hunger.
“He’s not really cost anything so you can write that one off,” Mills told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“It was a gamble, we all know there is a player in there, it’s about whether you can tease that player out.
“Two or three managers haven’t done it at Tottenham. Frank was thinking ‘I need bodies in, who’s available?’
“He’s clearly a talent so if Frank can get him playing for me then it’s worth it.
“It’s not like he has to play every week because he’s cost Everton a huge amount of money.
“It’s a gamble that hasn’t worked yet. Him and Van De Beek came in on deadline day, one has worked out, one hasn’t worked out.”
Sky Sports reported earlier this year (1 February) that the deal could for Dele could cost £40million but it is based on performance-related incentives.
He is under contract at Goodison Park until the summer of 2024.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has evaluated a £103million Everton claim as ‘furious’ rivals threaten legal action.