Harry Redknapp has revealed he called nephew Frank Lampard to urge him to "take a gamble" on Dele Alli at Everton - but admitted the move turned out a "disaster".
Alli was out of favour at Tottenham under Antonio Conte having struggled to make his mark in the previous regimes under Jose Mourinho and Nono Espirito Santo. Former Spurs boss Redknapp is a long-term admirer of Alli's talents and was straight on the phone to Lampard as Everton were mired in a relegation battle last January.
But Redknapp discovered Lampard was already two steps ahead of him, as he disclosed that he was already discussing a potential move with Alli himself ahead of the deadline day signing back in January. Fast forward eight months though and Alli's time at Goodison Park has been cut short as he joined Turkish side Besiktas on loan for the rest of the season, having failed to make an impression in 13 appearances at Everton.
