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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Midfielder now a free agent</li><li>Still training with the Toffees</li><li>Hoping to earn new contract</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Revealed: ‘Catch 22’ holding Dele Alli back at Everton & terms of Tottenham deal as ex-England international uses ‘World Cup 2026’ as motivational message in latest return from injury

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<p>Dele finds himself <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/unhappy-christmas-dele-alli-when-everton-give-up-ex-tottenham-star-another-injury-setback/bltbf029a1effcd9240" target="_blank">nursing another injury at present</a>, which is preventing him from staking a claim to a new contract at Goodison Park. His previous deal expired at the end of last season, meaning that the 28-year-old midfielder is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/should-dele-alli-retire-another-injury-future-question-asked-ex-tottenham-star-setback-bid-new-everton-contract/blta5081fd9e373c64e" target="_blank">training with the Toffees as a free agent</a>.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>According to the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13952353/Dele-Alli-football-comeback-free-agent-World-Cup.html " target="_blank"><em>Daily Mail</em></a>, former club Spurs have <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/bonuses-sell-on-clause-dele-alli-terms-agreed-tottenham-ex-england-international-rejoin-everton-free-agent-explained/bltc703e8e0ee0a6b8f" target="_blank">written off a £10 million ($13m) payment</a> that would have been due to them if Dele reaches 20 appearances for Everton – having <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/ex-everton-scout-explains-why-dele-alli-strange-signing-midfielder-challenged-new-contract-goodison-park/blt5c3f8858edd00281" target="_blank">figured for them 13 times so far</a>. His last outing of any kind came during a loan spell at Besiktas in February 2023.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>While Tottenham have agreed to waive that fee, they are said to be in line for “performance-related bonuses” and a sell-on clause if Dele does do enough to secure fresh terms on Merseyside. Said quest is proving difficult.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>That is because the Mail reports on how Dele is being prevented from figuring in U21 games as he is not registered to the Toffees. Behind-closed-doors friendlies are one option that could be explored once he is fit enough to take to the field.</p>

TELL ME MORE

<p>Elsewhere, it is claimed that Dele has set a pop-up alarm on his phone that goes off at 11am and features the message “World Cup 2026”. He did <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/dele-alli-2026-world-cup-premier-league-transfer-ambition-return-everton-training-free-agency/blt123d00a86c108658" target="_blank">grace FIFA’s flagship event in 2018, and has 37 senior caps to his name</a>, but has not been called upon by the Three Lions since 2019.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Revealed: ‘Catch 22’ holding Dele Alli back at Everton & terms of Tottenham deal as ex-England international uses ‘World Cup 2026’ as motivational message in latest return from injury | Goal.com

The “Catch 22” holding Dele Alli back at Everton has been revealed, along with the terms of Tottenham’s new deal and a World Cup motivational message.

Revealed: ‘Catch 22’ holding Dele Alli back at Everton &amp; terms of Tottenham deal as ex-England international uses ‘World Cup 2026’ as motivational message in latest return from injury