David Pleat helped Tottenham Hotspur sign Dele Alli.
Former Tottenham Hotspur boss David Pleat is credited as the man who helped Tottenham Hotspur sign Dele Alli.
Pleat was working as a scout for Spurs in 2015 when he convinced chairman Daniel Levy to pull the trigger on a deal for the MK Dons midfielder.
Spurs paid just £5 million to sign Alli and he already looks like being one of their greatest ever transfers.
He has scored more than 50 goals for the club already, is an England international regular, and would sell for more than 10 times the price Tottenham paid for him.
Pleat insists his role was nothing special despite beinf credited as the man responsible for helping seal Alli’s move to Tottenham.
He told The Mail he is keen to see Alli succeed at Spurs and wants him to stay at the club.
He said: “It wasn’t clever to spot Dele’s talent. The clever bit was putting the money down. I don’t know him well but he is quite a straightforward lad.
“There is no side to him. He is very clever at close quarters. Like Chris Waddle and Hoddle. I am desperate for him to do well.
“Under my breath I find myself saying, “Go on Dele”. I hope he stays at Tottenham.”
Pleat’s assertion that it was not difficult to spot Alli’s talent may be right, as he was linked with numerous Premier League clubs before Tottenham made the move.
Yet it was he who pressed hardest for his club to do the deal, and Alli has given Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle big reason to regret not pursuing their interest.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
