Como are open to allowing Dele Alli to train with the club in January as the midfielder continues his recovery from injury.
The 28-year-old is a free agent after his Everton contract expired in the summer and he has not played a competitive match since February 2023 following a series of long-term injuries.
Dele was in the stands on Sunday to watch Como’s Serie A home victory over Roma, and head coach Cesc Fabregas addressed the situation regarding the Englishman.
“He could train with us from after Christmas, but only to help him get some fitness,” Fabregas said.
Dele has not played for Everton since August 2022 due to various injuries but continued to train at Finch Farm after his contract with the club ended in July as part of his rehabilitation from a long-term thigh problem.
Dele in the stands at Como (Jacopo M. Raule/Getty Images for Como 1907)
Everton reached an agreement with Tottenham Hotspur this summer over a revised payment structure for Dele should he sign a new contract with the club. Under the terms of his transfer from Tottenham to Everton in January 2022, the north London club were due a significant fee if he agreed a new deal at Everton, but this initial lump sum was agreed to be waived.
Fresh discussions took place over a potential one-year contract at Everton. Everton have not ruled out pushing ahead with a new deal for Dele, but the midfielder must first prove his fitness. After completing his individual training programme, he is yet to take the next step and complete regular sessions with Sean Dyche’s first-team group.
The two-time PFA young player of the year had a loan spell at Besiktas in 2022 but returned to Everton after sustaining a significant hip injury. In the summer of 2023, he opened up on his mental health struggles and explained he had been to rehab in an effort to deal with his dependence on sleeping pills.
Como are 17th in Serie A after winning three of their opening 16 matches under Fabregas, who was appointed head coach in July. The 37-year-old former Barcelona, Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder was assistant and interim head coach the previous season as Como secured promotion from Serie B.
Hollywood stars Keira Knightley, Michael Fassbender and Adrien Brody and musician James Righton were also pictured in attendance at Como’s Serie A victory over Roma on Sunday.
(Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
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