Everton, Tottenham talking to restructure Alli deal – sources

Everton are in talks with Tottenham Hotspur over restructuring their deal for Dele Alli to avoid paying £10 million ($12.2 million) when he plays 20 games for the club, sources have told ESPN.

Alli moved to Merseyside in January 2022 in a complicated deal which included no upfront transfer fee but a series of performance-related add-ons triggering future payments.

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The 27-year-old has made 13 appearances for Everton and seven more would mean Everton would have to pay Spurs £10million.

Alli, who spent last season on loan at Besiktas, is looking to revive his career after revealing he spent six weeks in rehab earlier this year as he dealt with various childhood traumas, including sexual abuse at the age of six and drug dealing at the age of eight.

The former England midfielder is still considered to be a long way from a first-team return, but Everton boss Sean Dyche has previously confirmed he is open to reinstating Alli as he builds up his fitness following a groin injury. Alli is not currently training with the Everton first team.

Everton have growing financial problems and are awaiting the outcome of an independent commission investigation into possible breaches of Financial Fair Play regulations, which could see them deducted 12 points by the Premier League.

A source at Tottenham told ESPN the club were ready to find a solution that would work for all parties after Dyche revealed Everton director of football Kevin Thelwell was looking to change the existing deal.

“Kev’s been getting a few phone calls, slightly in the background. Look, where do you see him?'” Dyche said. “But nothing has changed yet.”

Regarding Alli’s availability, Dyche added: “I have to clarify that he is on grass but he is still far from being fit.”