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I was halfway through writing an article about how Dele might be involved in a permanent transfer for Everton but that there was still work to be done...
..And then I checked Fabrizio Romano’s timeline.
Dele Alli to Everton, done deal and here we go! Full agreement reached with Tottenham, permanent move subject to medical in the next few hours. It’s done. #EFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 31, 2022
Frank Lampard wanted Dele after van de Beek - official announcement later today. #THFC pic.twitter.com/05QgWTeSvS
That’s all we know at this point—
In a lot of ways this transfer makes sense. I think Dele is the kind of player who will do very well at a club like Everton, and as much as I don’t like the man personally, Frank Lampard seems like the kind of manager who can get the most out of him.
But man, this hurts. Watching Dele’s spiral into mediocrity the last few seasons has been brutal, given he came into this club and set the world on fire as a teenager. There was no expectation that he would fall off as hard as he did.
This will be a permanent deal if it does indeed get over the line. Everton are maxed on loan players so the only way to do it is an outright purchase. It’s not going to sniff to the £100m valuation Dele had a few years ago, that’s for sure. We’re waiting for that number, but if it clears £20m, it’s basically a coup.
UPDATE (10:43AM ET): Uh....yeah that £20m was very ambitious apparently.
Dele Alli move to Everton from Tottenham agreed. Set to be an initial free transfer with Everton paying £10m once he has played 20 games. Two and a half year deal #efc #thfc
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) January 31, 2022
UPDATE #2 (10:50AM ET): We’re being told that TalkSport live reported the fee is anywhere between £30m-£45m based on matches played and escalators. Clearly there’s something missing here and we need one of the main Spurs beat writers to get the full details.
UPDATE #3 (11:15AM ET): So this is looking to be a very complicated deal. Dan Kilpatrick hasn’t exactly confirmed or denied the structure, but weighed in on it with the same sadness we have.
#thfc It would have been absolutely unthinkable a few years ago to imagine Spurs would let Dele leave on a free transfer with 2.5 years on his contract. https://t.co/fYJHdwCNVR
— Dan Kilpatrick (@Dan_KP) January 31, 2022
Now, as for the transfer itself, Alex Crook from TalkSport gave just a bit more information on what he’s hearing:
Told there are significant add-ons built into the Dele Alli deal that will take the final amount #EFC pay well beyond the initial £10m but its very much ON#THFC @talkSPORT
— Alex Crook ⚽️ (@alex_crook) January 31, 2022
It seems the complication is three-fold for Everton:
- They are maxed on loans.
- They have no money to spend right now other than wages.
- They’re in bad FFP compliance.
So how do you unload a player with these issues? You get creative, and that’s what this sounds like. Spurs are trying to do everyone a favor by making this a “free transfer” with a ton of escalators. Jonathan Veal is saying as such:
Dele Alli on his way out of Tottenham to Everton. After certain conditions are met it will be a substantial fee #THFC
— Jonathan Veal (@jonathandveal83) January 31, 2022
This makes the most sense. If you make the escalators easy to hit, Everton will get some cash this summer (if they don’t get relegated) and Spurs will get paid off then.
Stay tuned.
UPDATE #4 (11:27 AM ET): This sounds a lot better.
Told Dele Alli transfer fee has potential to rise to £40m. Fee linked to appearances #thfc #efc https://t.co/EydtgPyWYQ
— Paul Gilmour (@skysportspaulg) January 31, 2022
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