Dele Alli reacts to Besiktas manager’s claim that he has ‘gone AWOL’
Gunes has apparently decided that Dele has played his last game for Besiktas.
Nigeria-born Dele Alli has reportedly gone AWOL while on loan at Besiktas from Everton, as his career goes from bad to worse.
Dele joined Everton from Tottenham – for whom he emerged as one of the most coveted young players in world football – in January 2022, but was sent out on loan to Besiktas after 13 appearances and no goals for the Toffees.
He was greeted in Turkey by a mass of excited fans but has once again struggled to make an impact, with reports suggesting he’s no longer in manager Senol Gunes’ plans after three goals in 15 appearances.
According to The Athletic, Besiktas are not interested in taking up the option to sign Dele on a permanent basis.
The Turkish side are able to sign the 26-year-old for a measly £8m, but clearly do not think he is worth that. There is no obligation to buy included in Besiktas’ agreement with Everton.
The report claims that Dele ‘may still be able to force his way back’ into the Besiktas team after falling out of favour under head coach Senol Gunes.
This is not the case, however, according to Turkish outlet Takvim.
Gunes has apparently decided that Dele has played his last game for Besiktas.
He ‘will no longer be in the squad’ this campaign after the head coach ‘gave up all hope’ on the player.
It is said that Dele joined Besiktas with ‘great hopes’ but has failed to impress and will watch the remaining matches of the season ‘from the stands’.
Gunes said: “Dele Alli could not come at this time. It’s raining, I guess that’s why he couldn’t come.
“We’re trying to hear from him. We could not reach him by phone. Hopefully he didn’t have an accident.”
Reacting to the manager allegations, Dele's representatives have confirmed to the ECHO that the 37-cap England international had been given permission by Besiktas to travel to London for a doctor's appointment.
And hours after the initial speculation emerged, Dele took to his Instagram stories to deny the story. He wrote: "Hey guys just had loads of messages so wanted to clear something up.
"The club gave me permission to attend a doctor's appointment today. I'm due back in training tomorrow as normal."
