Le Tissier: Sunderland could be about to sign Dele Alli
Sunderland may look to make their boldest signing of the summer yet by bringing Dele Alli back to the Premier League.
A decade ago, the England international claimed the first of two back-to-back PFA Young Player of the Year awards.
Alli ran the show at White Hart Lane for seven seasons, with the 2016/17 campaign seeing the former MK Dons midfielder scoring 18 and assisting seven in the Premier League alone.
But in recent years, the 29-year-old has battled with fitness issues and personal troubles stemming from several traumatic incidents.
Alli moved to Como to join Cesc Fabregas’ side last season after dismal spells with Everton and Besiktas.
However, the English midfielder is now out of the former Chelsea midfielder’s plans, and a return to England, specifically the North East, could be the perfect fit.
Dele Alli would be a good fit for Sunderland
This article contains exclusive comment from former Southampton and England striker Matt Le Tissier.
With Alli potentially on his way back to England, Matt Le Tissier explained why a move to Sunderland makes the most sense.
The former England striker told Football Insider exclusively: “This was a boy who was a regular England player not that many years ago.
“He’s not very old, he’s not even 30 yet, is he? He’s still late 20s. If he can get himself right, his mind right, can get his body right, there’s no reason why he can’t play in the Premier League again.
“At this moment in time, given what’s happened the last few years, it will be at a club towards the bottom end [of the Premier League table].
“But I’m sure that there would be clubs [interested] because he’s not going to cost a lot of money, I would imagine.
“There would be clubs willing to take a punt on him, it wouldn’t surprise me if one of the promoted teams actually took a little bit of a punt on him.
“Sunderland could probably do with him more than the others, if I’m honest. I think they’re going to need somebody that can do something different, create something out of nothing, and he has got that ability in him.
“I think he’d be most useful at Sunderland.”
When asked whether his experience would be useful to a young side like Sunderland, Le Tissier added: “I mean, you’d hope so. You’d hope so. He’s a good man.”
Sunderland add experience to young side
Alli’s experience in the Premier League could make him a vital addition to a young Black Cats side who returned to the top flight after beating Sheffield United in the playoff final.
Adding Premier League nous and wisdom was a major factor in Sunderland’s decision to sign Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen.
Former Aston Villa and Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider he expects Regis Le Bris’ side to have a real chance of staying up this season.
With Alli on his way out of Como, signing a player capped 37 times by England for a low fee, if any at all, may prove to be another savvy piece of business.