Exclusive: Bent fears for Dele Alli after Tottenham transfer update via Athletic
Dele Alli is set to remain at Tottenham past Monday’s transfer deadline – because Jose Mourinho will not sign a replacement.
That is the view of former Spurs and England striker Darren Bent who, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted he was desperate to see the 24-year-old move out of north London in search of regular game time.
As reported by The Athletic, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is reluctant to let the attacking midfielder depart the club over the coming days and would only allow a move if an adequate replacement was signed.
The former MK Dons starlet has found himself on the very fringes of Mourinho’s squad this season, with just 12 appearances – only one of which came as a start in the Premier League – to his name.
Bent has insisted Dele is too good a player to be sitting on the bench – or even out the matchday squad altogether – but admitted he could not see the Lilywhites signing someone to allow him to leave.
Asked if he thought Spurs would bring a replacement on board, Bent told Football Insider: “Nah, I can’t see that happening because who are they going to get?
“At the minute, he comes in for the backup and, listen, he is way too much of a good player to do that. He’s still young, it’s not like he’s 28 where he’s really running out of time, he’s 24 so he’s got plenty of time.
“He has shown us signs over the years of how good he can be and he somehow needs to find himself and find a way of getting himself back to that level. If he’s back at that level, Spurs are a better team when he’s flying.”
Dele is currently behind the likes of Erik Lamela, Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso in terms of attack-minded midfielders at Spurs.
He has made two league appearances since October, the last of which came as a three-minute cameo against Liverpool in December.
In other news, Jose Mourinho has been tipped to bin Tottenham star “If the rumours are true”.