Could the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder be worth double, or even triple, that amount today?
Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur
One year ago today Jamie Redknapp was making the headlines for comments regarding Dele Alli. The Tottenham Hotspur star had just scored a brace v Southampton to continue a fine start to the season and Redknapp, himself a former Spurs midfielder, was quoted by The Mirror as telling Sky Sports:
“How much did they pay for him? £5million? You can put another zero on that now. He’s a £50million-plus player. He can score goals, he makes goals – he has that devilment that good midfield players have always possessed.
Nobody would have argued with that assessment. However, 12 months down the line, is Alli worth double, maybe triple, that amount?
Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian forward Neymar celebrates
Since Redknapp made his statements transfer fees have moved on to another level of financial prolificacy. Since Neymar made his move to Paris Saint-Germain for nearly £200 million the price of a professional footballer in today’s modern market has skyrocketed.
Virgil Van Dijk completed his move from Southampton to Liverpool this week for a world record fee for a defender. The Dutchman will cost Liverpool £75 million. It would not be foolish to argue that 12 months ago, he might have been sold for half that.
Southampton’s Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk
Alli, despite dipping in and out of form this season, is still one of the greatest young talents in world football and has previously been linked with the likes of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
But if either side came in for the Tottenham midfielder now £50 million as a starting offer would be laughed at. Alli is easily worth £100 million to the right buyer just 12 months on. But if Spurs wanted to ask for £150 million they might be able to convince someone into spending it.
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