Sean Dyche has revealed that Dele Alli is now not far away from returning to first-team training as the midfielder steps up his recovery.
Dele’s transfer from Tottenham to Everton in the summer of 2021 was quite a unique piece of business, with the midfielder moving to Goodison Park a free transfer but with the Toffees owing £10m to Spurs if the former England international makes 20 appearances for the club.
The 27-year-old has currently made 13 appearances for Everton so far and it has been widely reported over the past couple of months that the Merseysiders are trying to re-negotiate the terms of the deal with the Lilywhites (Liverpool Echo).
The Telegraph revealed last month that Everton’s director of football, Kevin Thelwell, has already reached out to Tottenham to try and renegotiate the transfer.
Will Everton have to pay Spurs for Dele Alli transfer?
There is no indication yet that there have been any breakthroughs in the talks between the two clubs or that Spurs are open to offering a concession.
However, it does appear as if Dele is now edging close to a return, with Dyche suggesting that he will be available for selection sooner rather than later.
The Everton boss said (via The Daily Mirror) about the midfielder: “He is going well. He is back on the grass with the sports science and fitness coaches, going through football-related drills, but the actual freedom to come and join in with us is not there yet.
“Hopefully over the next week, he will start slowly blending in [with the first team squad]. He still has a bit to go because he has been out for a long time, he needs a game programme, but to get him back on with us would be really pleasing for him because he has been so unlucky.
“The last time, 12-13 weeks ago, when he was going to join us he was so unlucky with the damage that was done. But the good news is that everything is settling down and he is feeling good. I saw him earlier and he said, ‘yes, I’m feeling great’.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Any hope Everton had of convincing Spurs to offer a concession on the Dele deal was likely over when the Toffees told the independent commission investigating their breach of financial rules that the North London club took advantage of their situation to underpay for Richarlison.
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