da dobrowin： Tottenham Hotspur star Dele Alli is being targeted by Real Madrid in a potential swap deal involving Mateo Kovacic, according to Don Balon.
What’s the story?
da dobrowin： It is not the first time that Alli has been linked with a move to Spain due to his significant rise over the past couple of years.
The 21-year-old has established himself as a regular for Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham team, as well as for England.
Since moving to the North London club from MK Dons in 2015, Alli has scored 35 goals and created 25 assists in 107 appearances.
His statistics seem to have attracted the attention of Madrid, who according to Don Balon, are prepared to offer Kovacic in a deal.
It is believed that club president Florentino Perez is keen to snatch Alli away in January, but Spurs are unwilling to listen to offers before the end of the season.
Should Tottenham consider a deal?
Based on statistics alone, no. Kovacic has netted just three goals and racked up five assists in 78 appearances for Madrid since his 2015 switch from Inter Milan.
The 23-year-old also plays in a different style to Alli in that he sits in a much deeper role, so it would not be a like-for-like replacement.
It is clear that the Tottenham star has not found his best form yet this season following a handful of lacklustre performances.
Even during this slight lull, though, Alli has still produced three goals and an assist in seven outings in all competitions.
With Tottenham becoming serious challengers for honours, it is vital that Pochettino keeps his best players.