Reports of Dele Alli returning to MK Dons have been firmly dismissed by head coach Paul Warne, leaving the 29-year-old England international of Nigerian descent to explore opportunities abroad.
Alli, whose contract with Serie A side Como was terminated in September, has been without a club since leaving Italy after just eight months and a solitary appearance under Cesc Fabregas.
His brief stint at Como was marred by a red card just nine minutes into his first competitive appearance in 748 days, a stoppage-time sending-off against AC Milan following a foul on England teammate Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Having last played for Besiktas in February 2023, Alli’s time in Italy failed to revive his career. Following his exit, rumours swirled that he was considering retirement, but the former Tottenham and Everton midfielder quickly dispelled those reports.
While a return to MK Dons, the club where he debuted at 16 and scored 24 goals in 88 appearances, was widely speculated, Warne was clear that no such move is on the cards.
“I haven’t heard anything about that. There is absolutely no truth to it… we don’t know each other, we don’t have phone numbers, there’s no text banter,” Warne told the Citizen.
With MK Dons off the table, Alli is now considering a return to Europe, with four Spanish clubs reportedly interested in giving the former Spurs star a lifeline.
Alli’s career has faced several setbacks, but experts like European football analyst Andy Brassell argue that his struggles at Como were largely due to the club being a poor fit for his style and expectations.
As Alli evaluates his next move, he remains a player with immense pedigree – 37 caps for England, Premier League experience, and the ability to influence games at the highest level.
