Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta could guide Dele Alli back to form, says Parlour: 'He'd fit better than Jorginho'

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Mikel Arteta could guide out-of-favour Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli back to his best form, believes Ray Parlour, who insists the England international is a better fit than Jorginho.

Dele has been heavily linked with a move away from Tottenham, with Paris Saint-Germain interested following the midfielder's fall down the pecking order under Jose Mourinho.

Despite Mourinho labelling Dele "my No.10" when taking over from Mauricio Pochettino, the 24-year-old has continued to struggle for form, unable to find a spot on the bench as Tottenham beat Southampton last weekend.

Meanwhile, with Lucas Torreira, Matteo Guendouzi and Mesut Ozil all linked with moves away from the Emirates, Arsenal are interested in strengthening in midfield, with Thomas Partey and Houssem Aouar both targets, while Jorginho has more recently been linked.

Although Mourinho is "convinced" Dele will stay beyond the transfer window, Parlour believes it would be some coup could Arsenal pull off a shock deal.

(AP)
(AP)

"He’d be more of a fit than Jorginho, if I’m being honest," Parlour told talkSPORT. "I’ve always said they are lacking goals from midfield.

“I don’t think Spurs would sell Dele Alli to Arsenal, I think there would be uproar from the Spurs fans if that happened.

“He would certainly be a good fit. I’m trying to think what he would be worth. I would say £50m has got to be the marker.”

Parlour added: “One thing about Arsenal, I think they are lacking goals from central midfield areas, so he could tick that box. He does score goals, he will probably get you 10 from midfield if he plays on a regular basis. Whether he could get more under Arteta, I don’t know.

“What he has done with the other players, certainly they are responding to Arteta. I’m sure Dele Alli would be exactly the same. I’m not saying Jose Mourinho can’t get more out of Dele Alli, maybe he is still pushing now.

“Arsenal fans would be pretty happy because you’re getting a quality player off your rivals. If he started playing week in, week out, started putting in performances like we saw when he joined Spurs, then I’m sure they would be delighted.”

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