Levy could involve 27-year-old in a deal to sign top-class Premier League defender

Tottenham could use Dele Alli in order to sign Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite.

The club’s need for reinforcements has led to recent speculation linking them with Everton’s 21-year-old Jarrad Branthwaite.

The young English defender has been earning plaudits for his consistent performances for the Toffees, having featured prominently in 13 Premier League games this season, impressing with his maturity and reliability.

However, former England goalkeeper turned pundit Paul Robinson suggests that securing Branthwaite’s services in January might prove challenging.

Everton, facing financial constraints, may be hesitant to part ways with a key player, especially mid-season.

Robinson highlighted the potential involvement of Dele Alli in a prospective deal, leveraging Everton’s obligation to pay £10 million if Alli makes seven more appearances for the Toffees.

The BBC pundit told Tottenham News:

“It’s difficult to see how you would get a player who’s playing week-in and week-out at Everton out of the club in January at the moment.

“They don’t exactly have the financial resources or ability to go and sign other players.

“He’s become a mainstay at the centre of their defence. He’s a fantastic player, a great player, but the only other way they could work the deal is to involve the Dele Alli situation.

“Everton know they’re obviously due to pay Spurs more money if he plays games, which listen he doesn’t look like he’s going to play games, but there’s negotiating power from Tottenham’s point of view.

“That deal is in place. They could make that a lot more beneficial for Everton. They could ignore payments, wipe away payments etc. I don’t know how it’s structured exactly.

“But I can’t see Everton wanting to do business in January, especially not for a player who’s come into the frame late, he’s stood up this season and been counted, he’s been excellent at centre half.

“Before the points deduction, you look at the results that Everton were getting.

“I don’t think a deal is possible for him in January, I really don’t.”

Everton were handed a 10 point reduction by the FA which made their poor start to the season even worse. While Sean Dyche has managed to get them out of the relegation zone for now, they will need to fight hard all season.

Which is why it is unlikely that they will let one of their key players leave mid-season unless they are tempted with a lucrative deal.