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A couple of days ago, we reported on a transfer rumor in the BBC that suggested that PSG was interested in making a renewed effort to sign Tottenham Hotspur attacking midfielder Dele on loan when the January transfer window opens up. Now, according to the Telegraph (£), the rumor goes even further: not only does Dele want to leave, but out of respect for him and the work he has done for the club, he will be allowed to do so should an appropriate offer arise.
The paywalled report, written by Mike McGrath, was written before Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace which saw Dele come off the bench to make just his second league appearance of the season and the first in any competition since December 3. It states that Jose Mourinho would like to keep ahold of central midfielder Harry Winks (another player who is reportedly dissatisfied with life in North London) for rotation/injury purposes, but that Dele could leave if a good offer comes in for him. That would preferably be a full value transfer, but a loan with a decent fee would also be considered.
Alli is still a huge asset from breaking into the first team at Spurs and becoming one of the stars of England’s runs to the World Cup semi-finals in 2018. His numbers in training have not dropped, according to sources at Spurs, but he has not been able to break into Mourinho’s team this season.
Allowing him to leave reflects his rise at Spurs after arriving from MK Dons in League One and immediately making an impact in the top flight, then for England.
— The Telegraph
Nothing is certain in transfer windows — look how long it took Victor Wanyama to find a club, for instance — but this is the clearest indication yet that our days of watching Dele in a lilywhite kit are probably numbered. That’s still a shame as far as I’m concerned, as I still believe Dele could be an important contributor for Tottenham this season, but it’s increasingly clear that he doesn’t have much of a future under Jose Mourinho. Just as long as he doesn’t go to United or Chelsea.