'I heard' - Eric Dier makes Dele Alli Everton transfer claim after Besiktas move
Everton midfielder Dele Alli joined Turkish side Besiktas on loan for the remainder of the 2022-23 season last month
Eric Dier has offered an insight into Dele Alli’s move to Besiktas and explained why he believes the midfielder was happy to leave Everton.
The 26-year-old joined Everton from Tottenham in February and made 11 appearances, but just one start, for the Goodison Park club last season. The England international then made two substitute outings - in league defeats against Chelsea and Aston Villa - for the Blues this season.
A two-time winner of the PFA's Young Player of the Year award, Alli did not score or register an assist in 13 games for Frank Lampard's side. While Besiktas revealed after the deal was completed that they have said they will not pay a loan fee to Everton but there is an option to buy included in the deal.
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Alli scored his first goal for Besiktas in the 3-2 win against Ankaragucu at the weekend, and his former Tottenham teammate Dier believes that the 26-year-old is now happy.
He said: “I spoke to him after his first game. I think he is happy to have a new challenge, somewhere fresh. I think he is excited by a new experience from a life point of view as well and all I heard were positive things from him.
“He is young. 26. I think we all know in football things can change very quickly for anyone at any time so everything is possible. It is just up to us as individuals.”
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