Tottenham have a fight on their hands to keep Alli

TOTTENHAM are bracing themselves for a fight to keep Dele Alli from the clutches of Europe’s elite clubs.

The midfielder’s emergence as one of the top young players on the continent has not gone unnoticed, with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Real Madrid among those to have regularly watched the 20-yearold over the past 12 months.

Likewise, Manchester City – given their drive to recruit the best homegrown talent – are also likely to be monitoring the England midfielder.

Tottenham feel they are in a strong position to keep Alli, who signed a new deal earlier this season. But the likes of PSG and Real have the financial firepower to vastly improve upon the player’s £60 000-per-week deal.

Alli is happy at White Hart Lane and is unlikely to agitate for a move if Spurs receive a big offer. But the midfielder is hugely ambitious and a move to one of Europe’s biggest clubs could tempt him.

Alli featured in the 3-0 victory at home to Hull alongside Moussa Sissoko, making his first start in the Premier League since October 15.

Sissoko had been left out by Mauricio Pochettino, who said he was disappointed with the form of his £30 million summer signing. But the France midfielder impressed against Hull and was applauded off by fans when substituted in the 85th minute at White Hart Lane.

He then admitted that he had underestimated how tough it would be to work under Tottenham’s physically demanding manager.

Asked what he found difficult, Sissoko said: “The intensity of the training. The style of how he wants us to play.

“What we do at the training. It was a lot of change.

“Every manager has his style of training.

“To come here, it was not easy because a lot of things happened. I signed late, I didn’t have any preparation. I spoke with the manager and all the staff, and we tried to work on it at training.

“It was a big change for me because at Newcastle it was totally different. I needed to understand his philosophy, but now it is okay. I know what he wants, I know what to do, and that’s what I will do.”

Meanwhile, Spurs defender Danny Rose has admitted the side are in “third gear” compared to last season’s challenge for the title. Despite beating Hull, they are in fifth place, 10 points off leaders Chelsea.

Rose said: “We haven’t hit the heights of last season in how we’ve been playing. It’s fair to say we’re probably still in third gear. Hopefully, once the New Year comes we can push on.” – Daily Mail