Pundit: Dele Alli can revive his career at Everton after source’s update today
Alex McLeish has backed Tottenham outcast Dele Alli to revitalise his career with a potential move to Everton.
The former Scotland manager, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the 25-year-old could revitalise his career in a similar fashion to Jesse Lingard’s resurgence last term.
An Everton source has told Football Insider that the club have opened preliminary talks over a deal for Dele Alli in this window.
Football Insider revealed last week (21 January) that Newcastle have also held talks to sign the England international after a change of heart.
McLeish claimed Alli could find a “real freshness in his game” with an exit this month.
“I think he does need to leave Tottenham,” he told Football Insider‘s Russell Edge.
“If he does, then I can see there being a real freshness in his game. Just like with Lingard last season when he got a similar opportunity.
“Dele Alli needs to make sure he gets that opportunity to leave. You don’t want to see a player of his potential wasting his talent.
“You just wonder what the hell happened with him.”
Alli was regarded at one of the world’s hottest prospects following his stellar form during the 2016/17 season.
The former MK Dons star notched 22 goals and chipped in with 13 assists in 50 games across all competitions for Spurs.
Lingard netted nine goals and contributed five assists during a six-month loan spell at West Ham last season, as he reclaimed his spot in the England side.
Alli has started just two league games under Tottenham boss Antonio Conte.
The midfielder is out of contract at the end of the 2023/24 season.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has revealed Everton have landed a ‘£90m’ FFP boost after an official announcement.