Dele Alli spotted in the stands at European game with ‘contact confirmed’ over potential move as club’s manager releases statement

Dele Alli will start training with a new club at the end of this month, according to reports, after he was spotted at their latest game alongside some Hollywood A-listers.

The 28-year-old, who is currently a free agent, has been training with Everton as he continues his rehabilitation programme following a number of injuries, including a persistent groin issue that required surgery.

Alli has not played a competitive game since February 2023, when he featured for Besiktas in a 0-0 draw against Antalyaspor, but there's a chance he could feature in the not-so-distant future for Serie A side Como.

The former Spurs midfielder attended their 2-0 win over Italian giants AS Roma on Sunday night as late goals from Alessandro Gabrielloni and Nico Paz sealed a dramatic three points.

And after Alli watched from the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia stands alongside Keira Knightley, Michael Fassbender and Adrien Brody, Como manager Cesc Fabregas addressed the situation.

Dele Alli attends the match between Como 1907 and Roma at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on December 15. Image credit: Getty

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Fabregas said on Alli: "I got to know him yesterday. I don’t want to talk much about this, but perhaps there’s a chance that he will start training with us after Christmas."

He added: “Let’s see. It would be to help him get in shape and nothing more. For now, we must enjoy this night. We must talk about Como, Gabrielloni and the lads. This is the most important thing.”

Italian journalist Nicolò Schira would later suggest that Alli will join Como at the end of December to train and get in shape.

Alli is determined to play at the highest level again. In fact, he has a daily reminder set on his phone that speaks volumes about his determination to make it happen.

Speaking on Monday Night Football in April, the midfielder opened up on his ambition to play for England at the 2026 World Cup.

Having made several appearances at U17 and U18 level, Alli collected an impressive 37 caps for England between 2015 and 2019, where he played in Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup.

“I spoke about it in my interview and don't want to go over it too much again – but I know my level as a player and what I can get to," he told Sky Sports.

“I know how good I can be when my head is in the right place and I'm feeling good. Obviously I'm disappointed with the injury right now but I'm excited to get playing.

“It's hard for me to even watch football. It's been tough for me, I'd say, this past eight months has been hard to watch.”

Alli then touched on his decision to set a daily reminder on his phone for 11am.

He added: “You know you can set reminders on your phone, I have a reminder at 11 o'clock every day that says, ‘World Cup 2026’. That's my aim for now. I think that people will be like, ‘he hasn't played in a year’ but I don't care, I know my level.

“The only target I have is the World Cup right now. Obviously I'm injured and contracted to Everton and so my mind is just about taking it day by day and making sure my injury is healed and that I'm in the best possible condition after the summer."

Dele Alli has made 37 appearances for England. Image credit: Getty

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