Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy ready to play hardball with clubs interested in Dele Alli

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is ready to play hardball with any clubs interested in signing Dele Alli before the transfer window shuts.

As revealed by Telegraph Sport, Paris Saint-Germain have held talks over a move for Alli after the forward was left out of Tottenham’s last two squads.

Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte is also a huge admirer of Alli, but the Italian club may struggle to finance even a loan deal for the player.

Levy is adamant that he will not be pushed into a corner over Alli’s future and will not allow the 24-year-old to leave easily or cheaply, although a season-long loan move could be considered.

Sources believe it is unlikely any club will make the kind of bid that will persuade Levy to consider a permanent sale and that a loan away is more likely.

Levy is happy for Alli to remain at Tottenham and fight for his place, but a loan could suit all parties if the England international continues to be frozen out by head coach Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho’s recent treatment of Alli has left some of his team-mates stunned, while the player himself is understood to be confused and upset.

Alli was substituted at half-time in the defeat to Everton and then left out of the squads for Tottenham’s Europa League trip to Bulgaria and the weekend victory over Southampton.

Mourinho is yet to offer him any explanations for the decisions or any advice about what he should be doing to regain his place.

With the European Championships taking place next summer, Alli cannot afford to sit on the substitutes’ bench all season if he wants to win back his England place.

And he is also desperate to progress his club career, which is why it is understood Alli would currently consider a move if Tottenham did accept some sort of offer for him.