Everton have reached agreement with Tottenham so that they are not required to pay a further fee for Dele Alli if they offer him a new contract. 

Reports from 12 July indicate that the two clubs are in ongoing discussions, which could allow the Toffees to re-sign the former England star should they choose to do so.

Dele, 28, is currently a free agent after his contract at Goodison Park expired. Under the terms of his initial deal, Tottenham would have been due a “significant fee” if he signed a new contract. The revised agreement is expected to include a sell-on clause, ensuring Spurs receive a fee if Everton sell him in the future.

The midfielder originally joined Everton in January 2022 without an up-front payment, but with a £10 million fee due once he reached 20 appearances. To date, he has featured 13 times for the Toffees.

Dele Alli’s time at Everton has been fraught with challenges, both on and off the pitch. His arrival at the club was seen as an opportunity to rediscover his form after a difficult period at Tottenham. However, extensive injuries and a disappointing loan spell at Besiktas have hindered his progress on Merseyside.

Despite these setbacks, Dele’s ability on the pitch has never been in doubt. He played a crucial role in Everton’s dramatic 3-2 victory against Crystal Palace, which secured their Premier League status under Frank Lampard two years ago. Yet, that match remains the highlight of his Toffees career.

Dele’s struggles have been well-documented, including an emotional interview with Gary Neville a year ago on The Overlap, where he revealed his battles with mental health and childhood abuse.

He also spoke positively about his relationship with current Everton manager Sean Dyche, despite not having featured under him due to injury.

If Everton and Tottenham can finalize a new agreement, it could mark a significant turnaround for Dele. His return could provide a major boost, especially as he has been training at Finch Farm throughout the summer in an effort to regain fitness.

The Liverpool Echo reported on 12 July that Dele has been working hard to overcome his injury issues and is hopeful of making an impact next season.

Previously, Dele was considered likely to depart the club alongside fellow midfielder Andre Gomes. This expectation was fueled by reports of winter talks between the two clubs breaking down due to bad feelings over Everton’s claims that Spurs had taken advantage of their financial issues to sign Richarlison at a discount.

The potential return of Dele Alli to Everton represents a glimmer of hope that the former two-time PFA Young Player of the Year might once again become a significant presence on the pitch.

With discussions progressing, fans and pundits alike will be keen to see if Dele can finally revive his career and contribute to Everton’s fortunes in the upcoming season.