Dele Alli has revealed that he is leaving Everton to pursue other opportunities. The midfielder has not played this season due to injuries and has been linked with a switch to Italian outfit Como, who are managed by Cesc Fabregas.
Alli last featured for Everton in August 2022. A loan spell with Turkish outfit Besiktas last term was curtailed by a muscle tear which ended his campaign prematurely.
The 28-year-old has now announced that he will leave Everton and has thanked the club’s staff and fans for their support.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Alli wrote: “As widely published this week, 2025 may set me on a new path with some exciting opportunities. Before any of that happens it’s very important for me to make clear how grateful I am of all the fans, staff and players at Everton FC for the support they have given me.
“It’s been an incredibly tough journey trying to put the final pieces together to regain match fitness and I cannot thank the Everton staff enough for the hard work they have put into this process.
“Unfortunately things haven’t worked out as we all would have hoped and I think it’s the right time for me to turn a new page. I want to wish everyone at this amazing club the very best of luck and hopefully we will see each other again soon.”
Alli made only 13 appearances for Everton after joining from Tottenham in January 2022. Injuries prevented him from rediscovering the form he displayed for much of his Spurs career.
The 37-cap England international was a teenage prospect at MK Dons and shone as a young player in an exciting Spurs team. He scored 55 goals and provided 48 assists in 194 appearances under Mauricio Pochettino. However, his fitness issues began to arise after Jose Mourinho’s appointment in north London.
Wide-ranging reports, which Alli seems to refer to in his statement, have claimed that Como have invited him to train from next year. The Italian side are coached by former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Fabregas.
Alli has previously revealed his desire to win back his England place and play at the 2026 World Cup. Speaking to Gary Neville on The Overlap, he said in April this year: “I know my level as a player and what I can get to. I know how good I can be when my head is in the right place and I’m feeling good. Obviously, I’m disappointed with the injury right now but I’m excited to get playing. It’s hard for me to even watch football.
“It’s been tough for me, I’d say, this past eight months has been hard to watch. You know you can set reminders on your phone, I have a reminder at 11 o’clock every day that says, ‘World Cup 2026’.
“That’s my aim for now. I think that people will be like, ‘he hasn’t played in a year’ but I don’t care, I know my level. The only target I have is the World Cup right now.”
