Dele Alli Handed Wrexham Transfer Blow as Midfielder Tipped to Join Unthinkable Club

Free agent Dele Alli is expected to miss out on a move to Wrexham, but the midfielder has been backed to complete a transfer to one of his former clubs.

The 29-year-old former England international is currently without a side after he agreed to terminate his contract at Como.

Alli, who signed an 18-month contract with the Serie A outfit in January following his departure from Everton, played just one game for Cesc Fabregas' side during the 2024/25 campaign.

That match was against AC Milan in March, but after coming on in the 81st minute, Alli was shown a red card in stoppage time as Como fell to a 2-1 defeat. He never featured again under Fabregas.

Earlier this month, the club released a statement to confirm his departure.

“Dele is keen to secure regular playing opportunities and, as he was not part of the club’s immediate plans, both parties felt it was the right decision to part ways ahead of the transfer window closing,” read the statement.

“The club thanks Dele for his time at Como and wishes him the very best for the future."

Last week, Championship side Birmingham were the bookies' favourite to sign the midfielder, while West Brom, Sheffield United and Wrexham were also in the mix.

But it appears a move to Wrexham is off the cards after manager Phil Parkinson suggested that Ollie Rathbone will fill the club’s 25th squad slot once he returns from injury.

"I think Ollie is closing in," he said. "I just wanted to make sure Ollie got through this week in training and the signs are looking positive, and he'll be back in a couple of weeks. We need Ollie back, he's a key player for us. He was instrumental for us last year.

"He's a player who has played in the Championship; first year did well, second one was a difficult one at Rotherham because they had a very weak squad. But he's played at this level and when he signed for us, he was determined to get back into the Championship."

Parkinson added: "His start to the season has been curtailed but obviously he's a very naturally fit player and the sooner we get him back involved in football, the better. His energy and his quality, I can't wait to get Ollie back out with us."

Dele Alli is a free agent after leaving Como. Image credit: Getty

While a move to Wrexham is unlikely, Alli has been tipped to join League Two side MK Dons.

Alli progressed through the youth ranks at MK Dons before making his professional debut at 16. He went on to sign for Tottenham in a deal worth £5 million.

A decade on and former Sunderland forward Don Goodman has backed Alli to return to Stadium MK.

Asked if he thought there is an outside shout of Alli returning to MK Dons, even if it was just to train again, Goodman told Betway: "I think he needs something to keep him going."

"It’s interesting because Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has also been linked with a few clubs as well, who’s another talented player whose career has been blighted by injuries," Goodman continued.

"Dele Alli clearly wants to just play football. He gave this amazing and honest interview about the troubles he has had off the pitch, so you can’t help but feel for him.

"But the onus is very much on him and his representatives to find an opportunity. I suspect it would be an unpaid opportunity to start if you want to get your foot in the door of a decent standard club. I don’t think at the moment he can be asking to be paid, other than expenses maybe."

The 59-year-old added: "It’s an avenue that I would be prepared to go down if I were him, who’s desperate to get back in and get your career back on track."