CROSS Spurs nearly blew deal to snap up Dele

DELE ALLI is one of English football’s best recent success stories, signed by Tottenham for just £5million and now a huge Three Lions star.

But the story behind Alli’s arrival at White Hart Lane in 2015 has raised eyebrows, with Spurs’ former head of recruitment Paul Mitchell happy to take the credit.

Mitchell, now part of the RB Leipzig set-up, said this week it had been “sentimental” to watch Alli’s rise from “muddy, community pitches” to reaching the top.

The story of Alli’s move from MK Dons to Spurs is remembered very differently by others. Liverpool, Aston Villa and Newcastle were all in for the midfielder before Tottenham got the deal done.

It was ex-spurs manager David Pleat, still a hugely respected figure at the club, and someone with an eye for the best young talent, who actually persuaded the north Londoners to push the button while others hesitated.

In fact, this column is reliably informed that Mitchell baulked at the £5m price, the deal nearly fell down, and it was Pleat who persuaded then Spurs technical director Franco Baldini to give it the green light.

It must go down as one of the best bits of business ever done by Spurs. Alli is now a £100mplus superstar and one of England’s biggest stars, who is flourishing under Jose Mourinho.

Even though Alli (above) was substituted against Leipzig, the 23-year-old’s frustration was admirable because he was so disappointed with himself, despite covering more ground than any of his team-mates.

This is a player who gives everything.