Dele Alli move could backfire for Wrexham, West Brom or Birmingham - and Cardiff City’s move proves it | OneFootball

While Alli's name is eye-catching, recent history suggests clubs should be wary

Dele Alli is once again at a career crossroads, with his stock perhaps now at its lowest ebb after his recent release from Italian outfit Como

Released by Como, the 29 year old midfielder is reportedly attracting interest from Championship clubs including Wrexham, Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion, while Swansea City have also been linked.

Once one of world football's premiere young talents, Dele famously burst onto the scene with Tottenham Hotspur after joining from MK Dons and lit up the Premier League during his first few years in North London but has failed to recapture that form since leaving Spurs for Everton in 2022 amid well-documented struggles both on and off-the-pitch.

For clubs considering a move, the question is whether his name still carries enough weight to justify the risk, or whether history - and recent examples from the EFL - offer a cautionary tale.

Dele Alli signing would be a huge gamble for Championship clubs

When Dele burst rose to prominence Tottenham Hotspur a decade ago, he was considered one of the most exciting young players in Europe.

Twice voted PFA Young Player of the Year, he played a central role in a Spurs side that reached the Champions League final in 2019 and was a key figure for England at the 2018 World Cup.

That pedigree explains why his name continues to carry weight — but for any club contemplating a deal in 2025, Dele's recent record cannot be ignored.

Since leaving Tottenham three years ago, he has struggled to make an impact. His spell at Everton yielded little in terms of form or consistency. A loan to Besiktas failed to revive his career. Most recently, at Como, he made a solitary 10-minute appearance - in which he was sent off - before his contract was terminated.

Across the past two and a half years, he has played fewer than 90 minutes of competitive football.

That lack of playing time represents a serious gamble for any Championship side. Dele is still only 29, and in theory should have several years left, but match fitness and rhythm cannot be nurtured overnight, even if his ability will not have vanished.

In addition, the financial element looms large. Even as a free agent, Dele is likely to command a substantial wage package, reflective of his reputation rather than his current output.

Wrexham, Birmingham and West Brom have all been linked. Each has ambitions of establishing themselves beyond the Championship, but none have the room to make expensive mistakes.

For Birmingham in particular, who reportedly explored a deal before backing away, the decision not to proceed highlights an awareness of just how fraught the calculation is.

What Wrexham, West Brom, Birmingham could learn from Cardiff City’s Aaron Ramsey transfer

The cautionary tale comes from Cardiff City. When the Bluebirds brought Aaron Ramsey back in 2023, it was meant to be a storybook homecoming.

Ramsey, who began his career at Cardiff before going on to star for Arsenal, Juventus and Wales, was seen as both a marquee addition and a symbol of ambition.

The reality was far less romantic. Injuries limited Ramsey to just 23 appearances across two seasons, during which Cardiff’s form faltered and eventually ended in relegation.

Supporters remained patient with Ramsey because of his history with the club, but even that goodwill could not disguise the financial implications. A player on significant wages who is unable to make a consistent contribution inevitably becomes a burden.

The comparison with Alli is stark. Ramsey at least carried the emotional pull of returning to his boyhood club, providing a narrative that helped offset his lack of availability.

Alli would not have that same cushion at these clubs. Without sentimental ties to fall back on, his performances would be judged purely on what he delivers on the pitch. If the impact were minimal, scrutiny would be swift and severe.

For Wrexham, with their Hollywood-backed rise and ambitious recruitment, the appeal of Alli’s name is obvious. For Birmingham, bolstered by Tom Brady’s involvement, or for West Brom, managed by former teammate and coach Ryan Mason and chasing a return to the Premier League, there is a temptation to believe a player of Alli’s calibre could be a difference-maker.

Yet Cardiff’s recent experience is a reminder that high-profile arrivals rarely transform fortunes in the way their billing suggests.