.png)
Paul Merson has branded Dele Alli's deadline day switch to Everton as "the signing of any window" and believes Frank Lampard is the ideal man to get him back to his best.
After being deemed surplus to requirements at Spurs, Alli has signed for Everton in a move that could reach £40 million.
Newcastle tried to hijack the deal for the 37-time capped England international but on Monday night the Toffees confirmed the capture of Alli on a two-and-a-half year contract.
It came on the same day Lampard was announced as Everton's new manager following the dismissal of Rafa Benitez.
And Merson reckons Alli, who he likens to Lampard in his playing style, "could be the signing of any window" if he rediscovers his best form.
"I think Dele Alli needs to get back to what Dele Alli is best at doing,” the former Arsenal and Aston Villa midfielder said on Sky Sports before the transfer was completed.
“And that was what Frank Lampard was great at doing. Making runs from deep and scoring goals.
He sees a bit of him in Alli. He’s going for him. If he can get Dele Alli doing that, then I think he could be the signing of any window. I really do.
“He makes great runs. He times his runs right. He is a good finisher. He’s big and a good athlete. Ticks every box. Alli has just lost his way a little bit.
“I really hope he gets a move because there is a player inside him still – if he can get back to that (his goalscoring) then it would be a signing and a half.”
Last year Alli looked set to join Paris Saint-Germain and reunite with Mauricio Pochettino but a deal did not materialise.
Alli joined Spurs in a £5 million move from MK Dons as an 18-year-old in 2015 and scored 28 goals from midfield in his first two seasons in the Premier League, winning back-back PFA Young Player of the Year awards.
He was a permanent fixture in Gareth Southgate's England squads but hasn't been capped since 2019 after falling out of favour for his club.
His game-time was reduced significantly under Jose Mourinho and though he started the current campaign as a regular under Nuno Espirito Santo, Alli found himself out of favour again under Antonio Conte and only made six appearances in all competitions under the Italian.
His move to Everton had to be a permanent transfer as Everton already used up their loan quota with the additions of Dutch duo Anwar El Ghazi and Donny van de Beek.
"I'm delighted to have signed for Everton, a huge club with a great fanbase and history," Alli told Everton's official website.
"I'm eager to get started and can't wait for my first game in an Everton shirt.
"I'm looking forward to helping the team and the opportunity to work with the new manager Frank Lampard."
Everton will pay the first £10 million of Alli's transfer fee once he makes 20 appearances for the Merseyside outfit.
Cup tied for the FA Cup clash with Brenford this week, he could make his debut against Newcastle on 8 February.
Featured Image Credit: Image: PATopics: Paul Merson, Everton, Dele Alli, Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League
Josh Lawless