£100k-a-week PL fringe player told to join Newcastle United

Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Dele Alli has been urged by Paul Merson to join Newcastle United in the January transfer window.

The Magpies are in dire need of bolstering their ranks as they’re battling against Premier League relegation.

With the January transfer window now open, Newcastle are likely to be incredibly busy in the market.

Meanwhile, the Spurs and England midfielder has had a tough couple of years.

Alli used to be a regular for club and country, but is now a fringe player at Tottenham and out of Three Lions contention.

The 25-year-old has clocked up 268 appearances for Tottenham and 37 England caps.

Last season, Alli struggled for game time under former Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho.

Indeed, he was reportedly close to leaving in January amid links with Mauricio Pochettino’s Paris Saint-Germain.

Earlier this term, Nuno Espirito Santo reinstated Alli back to the starting XI, and he did well initially.

However, this didn’t last, and Alli soon found himself warming the bench once again, with the odd cameo.

Under Antonio Conte, the £100,000-a-week man has had a couple of starts, but he’s far from being a regular starter.

Alli “needs to do something”

Merson, writing in the Daily Star, believes Newcastle and Alli linking up in January is worth a shout.

“Newcastle should go to football’s equivalent of the dog rescue centre and pluck themselves a pedigree January signing,” he wrote.

“Dele Alli might not be just for Christmas, he might not even be there much after May if the Geordies do take the drop.

“But, for me, he’s definitely worth a punt and could prove to be an inspired acquisition.

“Dele’s talent isn’t in question but he’s been out in the wilderness at Tottenham for far too long and he needs to do something.

“He could be an absolute hero at St James’ Park.”