Everton midfielder Dele Alli is set to return to the UK this weekend to undergo further assessment on an injury he picked up while playing for Besiktas, according to a report.
The 26-year-old, who has spent the 2022/23 season away from Everton at the Turkish Super Lig giants, has not played since February 26.
Last month he was accused of going 'AWOL' by manager Senol Gunes, who claimed Besiktas officials "could not reach" Dele. However, the player's representatives confirmed to the ECHO that their client had received permission from the club to fly back to the UK for a doctor's appointment.
READ MORE: Andre Gomes unsure of Everton future as midfielder makes 'tough' relegation claim
And now Sky Sports claim that Dele is "due to return to the UK on Saturday for a review of an injury he picked up while playing for Besiktas" - and that Everton's "medical staff will assess" him.
Dele is not eligible to play for the Blues again this season. In the report, Sky Sports also claim Besiktas wanted to cancel his season-long loan move in January but the "lack of a break clause proved to be a stumbling block."
Dele made the move to Goodison Park in January 2022 in an attempt to reinvigorate his Premier League career. It came after he suffered a sharp decline at Tottenham Hotspur under managers Antonio Conte, Nuno Espirito Santo and Jose Mourinho.
However, the 37-cap England international, who was regarded as one of the best young players in the world at Spurs under Mauricio Pochettino, has managed just 13 appearances for Everton and in August was sent out on loan.
It seems as though Besiktas will have little interest in retaining Dele's services at the Vodafone Arena beyond the end of his deal with Gunes all but confirming the club's plans to cut their ties at the end of the current campaign.
“Alli did not add the efficiency we thought of as a game. We work physically and tactically,” said Gunes back in February. “Alli played in two friendly matches. He did positive things. He runs a lot, but he has problems in assisting and scoring goals.
“He also ran today, but he did not contribute. He is a player with a high probability of leaving at the end of the year, whether he plays well or badly.”
Dele, who has scored three goals in 15 games for Besiktas, is under contract at Everton until June 2024.
READ NEXT:
