Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly now ready to cash in on Dele Alli, following recent transfer links to Newcastle United.
The midfielder has endured a tough past couple of years at Spurs.
After winning back-to-back PFA Young Player of the Year awards, Dele’s form plummeted.
He had a particularly tough time getting regular minutes under Jose Mourinho.
And under Nuno Espirito Santo he is playing, but just hasn’t been able to recapture the kind of form he was showing earlier in his career.
According to The Athletic, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has changed his mind about the player and is now willing to sell.
It will be interesting to see if Newcastle’s new director of football, whoever that may soon be, launches a pursuit of the 37-cap England international.
He still has plenty of time left on his contract, so Levy will be determined to squeeze as much as possible out of any suitor.
Newcastle’s recent takeover obviously means affording him will not be an issue.
Newcastle moving for Dele would be risky
There is the train of thought that Dele could flourish with a change of environment.
It has been a miserable time for him at Spurs lately. He does look like someone who needs a fresh start.
There’s a chance the club will go for him and perhaps hope for another Joe Willock-style impact. Jesse Lingard also showed the value of a good mid-season move with some amazing form at West Ham United in the second half of 2020/21.
Newcastle moving for the 25-year-old would probably be a bit of a risk though.
Dele has been in really poor form for a good while now, and Newcastle’s position in the Premier League is precarious.
Arguably, Toon officials need proven performers and individuals who will fight to drag the club away from trouble.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
