The former England international has not played in the Premier League since August 2022, and his Everton contract expired earlier this summer. However, he was allowed to continue training with the club over the summer, and talks remain ongoing about his future there, with a new contract reportedly on the cards depending on the 28-year-old's fitness.

Speaking to BBC Sounds, Thelwell said: “We are in a good space now with Tottenham, we have an agreement with those guys about what happens next if we sign him." He continued: “He would dearly love to play for Everton in the Premier League and we would dearly love that to happen as well because the boy has had a very difficult time.”

Due to a series of injuries and personal issues, Dele has been away from elite football for quite some time, and there continue to be doubts about whether he can still cut it in the top flight. According to one former Everton scout, "he has a lot to do to prove to Sean Dyche and Everton that he can be a key player for them. This isn't the Championship or Under-21s he is coming back to. This is the Premier League and you've got to be up and running."

Whether Dele is offered another contract at the Merseyside club depends on the club's ongoing talks with Spurs; Thelwell has admitted that these discussions are going well, but the specifics of their deal for Dele are yet to be ironed out. What's undeniable is that the former England World Cup star seems determined to return to the top level.