Tottenham are expected to open contract talks with superstar Dele Alli after the conclusion of the January transfer window, according to the Times.
The newspaper claim that Alli’s new management team, recently finalised by the 21-year-old, are set to resume negotiations with the club over fresh terms in February.
Alli split with long-time agent Rob Segal at the beginning of the season, prompting speculation that he was looking to bring in a new team and push through a move away from north London.
He finalised his new representative team last month, with adoptive brother Harry Hickford handling his day-to-day affairs, the Creative Artists Agency tackling his commercial dealings, and the Sports PR Company managing his image.
Long-term lawyer Ian Lynam remained on board to take charge of legal matters, and it is expected that the club will engage in discussions with these figures in February.
OPINION
Do Tottenham want Alli to commit to a lucrative new contract? Of course. Is he still an integral member of Mauricio Pochettino’s young and vibrant side? Certainly. Does he need to massively improve his form in the second half of the season? Without doubt. Alli is a bona fide Premier League superstar with fairly impressive statistics this season. Seven goals and six assists from 22 matches in all competitions is hardly hopeless from an attacking midfielder. But Alli has failed to live up to the huge expectations foisted upon him following his first two seasons at the club in which he emerged as one of the outstanding young players in the world. Naturally, Tottenham would love him to commit to an extended contract and fulfil the obligations of it, but Daniel Levy’s negotiating position may well have been enhanced by Alli’s recent form. He needs a strong Christmas and January to regain his hallowed status of a few months back.