The Guardian (USA)

Spurs reject PSG bid for Dele Alli but agree €3m loan fee for Carlos Vinícius

- Ed Aarons and David Hytner

Dele Alli looks set to remain at Tottenham this season after the club rejected a £1.5m loan bid for the England midfielder from Paris Saint-Germain, while Benfica striker Carlos Vinícius is set to join Spurs after the Portuguese club announced that a €3m loan fee had been agreed with a €45m optionto-buy clause.

Alli was offered to the French champions last month and has not featured in the Premier League for Spurs since being substitute­d at half-time against Everton on the opening day. The 24year-old has made one appearance since, in the Europa League qualifying win over Shkendija in North Macedonia last week.

It is understood Tottenham immediatel­y rejected PSG’s offer, with Alli set to remain and fight for his place in Mourinho’s squad. The Spurs manager would not be drawn on Wednesday over whether Alli could be handed an opportunit­y in Thursday night’s Europa play-off against Maccabi Haifa, although he did praise the player’s reaction to being largely on the sidelines.

“I cannot confirm Dele’s playing tomorrow but I cannot confirm he’s not playing,” Mourinho said. “We have still training sessions today, we have still decisions to make. The only thing I can say is he’s being very, very profession­al. I have only respect for him.”

Tottenham are on the verge of bringing Benfica striker Vinícius to the club on loan. The 25-year-old Brazilian is represente­d by Jorge Mendes’s company, Gestifute.

Mourinho is also represente­d by

Mendes. A loan deal with a €45m option to buy has been agreed between the two clubs.

When asked last night whether a deal was close, Mourinho said: “No, I want you to ask me that question when it’s confirmed. Nobody told me it’s done so I’m going to respect the player, respect Benfica and wait a little bit more.”

 ??  ?? Dele Alli training with Tottenham on Wednesday. He hopes to play against Maccabi Haifa on Thursday night. Photograph: Tottenham Hotspur FC/Getty Images
Dele Alli training with Tottenham on Wednesday. He hopes to play against Maccabi Haifa on Thursday night. Photograph: Tottenham Hotspur FC/Getty Images
 ??  ?? Carlos Vinicius scored 24 goals for Benfica last season. Photograph: Gualter Fatia/ Getty Images
Carlos Vinicius scored 24 goals for Benfica last season. Photograph: Gualter Fatia/ Getty Images

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States