Pleat talks Spurs, transfers, Alli

The man who convinced Tottenham to sign Dele Alli was David Pleat – the club’s longest-running servant who has been enjoying a consultancy and scouting role since 2011.

His affinity with Spurs stretches back over four decades to 1986 and includes spells as manager and director of football, and he was so determined regarding Alli’s ability, and his expertise so highly regarded, that the club was persuaded to spend £5m on a 19-year-old from League One MK Dons.

Alli’s subsequent season needs no reminders, and Pleat says he has been “pleasantly surprised” by the youngster’s rise to England star, but it is the rise of the club itself, citing manager Mauricio Pochettino’s methods and the Argentine’s great relationship with chairman Daniel Levy as a key factor, that Pleat is even more encouraged by.

Pleat believes Tottenham have had the best season for “many, many years” and the future looks good – and, speaking exclusively to Sky Sports, he insists Alli was “never close” to signing for Liverpool, as reports have suggested. 

“They met him and had talks but Milton Keynes weren’t selling him at the time.” he said. “There was nothing agreed with the clubs and they said he wasn’t for sale at that point.

“When the chairman at MK Dons was ready to sell him I was informed by their manager, because he knew we’d be interested, and we did the deal. The rest is history.

“Alli is a great lad and I’m pleasantly surprised with how well he has done. I was fortunate to watch him and I’m fortunate to look over a broad spectrum for Spurs, from youth football to the highest level.

“I’ve enjoyed my attachment with Tottenham whatever I’ve done. I enjoy watching young players and good players in all teams, and that can …

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