Dele Alli is being linked with Real Madrid after discussions with Jorge Mendes – how would Mauricio Pochettino deal with a potential exit from Tottenham?
Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring the first goal during the UEFA Champions League group H match against Real Madrid.
Rumours linking Dele Alli with a transfer to Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur have resurfaced after the Daily Mail reported agent Jorge Mendes met with a member of the midfielder’s family.
It is thought Alli could leave his current representatives Impact Sports Management when his deal with them expires next year and become the latest of Mendes’ ever-increasing client base.
Agent Jorge Mendes (R) arrives at the Court in Pozuelo de Alarcon to be questioned by Spanish judge as part of a probe into Colombian striker Radamel Falcao.
In turn it is believed the Portuguese would then try and get the England international a switch to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu as he has close links with the Spanish giants and the 21 year old is said to desire a move there.
Despite Spurs’ impressive form since Mauricio Pochettino took over as manager in 2014, due to the club’s strict wage structure their best players are always likely to be linked with moves away.
How Pochettino deals with that is paramount to the long-term success of the North Londoners and the Argentine has good previous form when it came to Kyle Walker’s exit over the summer.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Mauricio Pochettino arrives for the UEFA Champions League Group H football match against Real Madrid.
When it became apparent Walker wanted to leave for Manchester City, the 45 year old began to phase the right-back out of the team and despite losing one of their key players to a rival, Tottenham have moved on admirably and it has not hindered their form.
However, dealing with the potential loss of Alli would be Pochettino’s biggest challenge yet, with the midfield ace having won the PFA young player of the year award for the past two seasons and become integral for club and country.
The youngster leaving for Madrid would shake the squad and would test the South American far more than Walker’s departure did.
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