Birmingham City boss Chris Davies reveals what would make club consider free agent deal amid Dele Alli links
Birmingham City still have on remaining squad place available which they could look to fill before January
Birmingham City are one of a number of clubs which have been linked with a move for 37-time England international Dele Alli.
The 29-year-old is currently without a club after leaving Serie A side Como. He signed an 18-month contract with Cesc Fabregas’ side in January but played just once for the Italian side before having his contract terminated 12 months ahead of schedule. His only appearance was one to forget as he was sent off just 10 minutes after appearing as a substitute against AC Milan following a clumsy late challenge on Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Alli’s departure from Italian football after barely making any kind of impact, marks the latest dark chapter, in one of English football’s greatest fall from grace in the 21st century.
The two-time PFA Young Player of the Year is free to join any club in the English Football League, providing they have a space remaining in their 25-man squad, which is something that Birmingham do have with injured duo Lee Buchanan and Scott Wright omitted from Chris Davies’ squad list of just 24 players. Mail Sport has claimed Birmingham are one of three clubs weighing up a possible offer for Alli at this delicate stage of his career.
Chris Davies is unlikely to delve into the free agent market
Birmingham City manager Chris Davies has dismissed speculation that his team are planning to delve into the free agent market. He added 12 players to his team in the summer following promotion from League One and appears to be happy with the group he has at its disposal.
“I think we’re OK,” said Davies, via Birmingham Live. “We’ve got Scott and Lee who are long-term injuries but if things really accelerate for Scott, who is a bit sooner, then they could take over that space. You leave that as an option just in case there’s an injury crisis and you have that room to manoeuvre and get somebody else in. We’re not planning or looking to fill that space unless we really need to.”
Birmingham without a win in three matches across all competitions and will be desperate to put that right in a competitive match against Swansea City at the weekend.
Birmingham City should avoid moving for Dele Alli - opinion
Dele Alli was for a long time, regarded as one of the best talents in English football. He’s undoubtedly one of Spurs’ best modern day midfielders and was once seen as the calibre of player that could make a difference at the highest level. He scored 67 times for Tottenham across all competitions and provided 59 assists - forming a formidable partnership with Harry Kane and those around him. However, those years appear to be a distant memory and it’s worth noting that he hasn’t scored a top-flight goal since January 2023 or started a match since February that same year.
Alli barely played throughout his time at Everton and struggled to make a real impact in Turkey with Besiktas. He played just once during his time at Como and has only played a full 90 minutes once since January 2022. The MK Dons academy graduate still has time on his side and the ability to turn things around but it’s hard to see him breaking into a competitive Blues team at this moment in time and his salary expectations would likely present an enormous risk.