Barnet open training doors to free agent Dele Alli after year without a club

Barnet manager Dean Brennan has publicly invited Dele Alli to join first-team training at the League Two club, telling talkSPORT on Thursday that “the doors are open” for the former England international, who has been a free agent since September 2025.

Alli, 30, recently shared footage of himself working individually at Barnet’s training ground and stadium, The Hive, having rented the club’s facilities to stay sharp. Brennan confirmed the arrangement and made clear he would welcome the midfielder into the group.

“He’s a serious footballer and he’s going through a real tough time,” Brennan said. “There’s obviously some kind of issue why people haven’t taken him on. If I do a Harry Redknapp and pull him back in, like Di Canio, no issue whatsoever. Everyone deserves a second chance in life. If Dele wants to come train with us the doors are open. He can use us to get fit and train with the group.”

Brennan was candid about the commercial reality behind the arrangement, noting that renting out facilities is part of how a club at Barnet’s level manages its finances. “We don’t live in Disneyland down at our level,” he said.

Alli has not featured in a competitive match since March 2025, when he was sent off after coming on as a substitute in his only appearance for Italian side Como. Before that, the midfielder had spells at Everton and Besiktas following his departure from Tottenham in 2022, but persistent personal struggles — including an addiction to sleeping tablets and childhood trauma he discussed publicly in an interview with Gary Neville — have severely disrupted his career.

Should Alli take up the offer, he would be joining a side in strong form. Barnet sit top of League Two and are unbeaten after seven league games in their second season back in the EFL following seven years in the National League.