Everton have until 13 September to offer Dele Alli a contract if they want him to play for the club in 2024.
The attacking midfielder has been training with the club since his contract expired in the summer after injuries and off-field problems since signing from Spurs on an intial free transfer and rumours suggest Everton are keen to sign him on a short contract if he can prove his fitness.
Alli, who is well liked by manager Sean Dyche and players at the club, can be signed outside of the transfer window because he is a free agent and Everton have until the Premier League deadline on 13 September to register him for their squad.
The club must name a 25-man squad by that date, not included u21 players, and if Alli is not named he will be unable to play for the club until the transfer window reopens in January.
The deadline also means Everton can sign other free agents if they wish including the likes of Paul Dummet, Cedric Soares, Denis Praet and others released by clubs at the end of last season. However, it is unlikely Everton will make more moves in the market outside of Alli.
If Everton are to offer a contract to Alli they would need confirmation from Spurs that the club would not be held to the original payment terms of the deal, where Everton promised to pay Spurs up to £40m in appearance and performance related bonuses. It is believed Everton have renegotiated with Spurs to allow Alli to sign for significantly less than originally agreed.
Everton have enjoyed a busy window after bringing in eight first team players and a further four youth players to a thin squad. Asmir Begovic arrived to offer more options in goal, while Jake O’Brien is the marquee defensive signing after arriving from Lyon. Tim Iroegbunam from Aston Villa also arrived for £9m in a bargain deal while Iliman N’Diaye cost £16m from Marseille.
Everton also signed Jack Harrison, Jesper Lindstrom, Armando Broja and Orel Mangala on loan for the season with the latter two arriving on deadline day.
Defender Will Tamen from Burton Albion, Omari Benjamin from Arsenal, Ceiran Loney from Partick Thistle, Braidan Graham from Linfield and Gambian midfielder Francis Gomez, who was subsequently sent on loan to Lyon, arrived to bolster the club’s youth and u21 sides.
Youth players departing the club on loan include Billy Crellin to Accrington Stanley, Jenson Metcalfe to Chesterfield, Francis Okoronwo to Salford City, Eli Campbell to Ross County and the permanent transfer of Italy u19 midfielder Djankpata to Spezia. Meanwhile, the arrival of Begovic meant Harry Tyrer moved on loan to Blackpool.
Everton’s senior outgoings include Amadou Onana’s £50m move to Villa and the sale of Neal Maupay to Marseille. Arnaut Danjuma went back to Villareal after his loan expired and Ben Godfrey moved to Atalanta on a permanent deal. Mason Holgate has moved to West Brom on loan before his contract expires next summer. Andre Gomes left the club after his contract expired and young winger Lewis Dobbin moved to Aston Villa and then on loan to West Brom.