Everton have knocked back a proposal from Tottenham Hotspur to renegotiate the terms of the deal that brought Dele Alli to Goodison Park, according to The Times.
The 27-year-old is working his way back to fitness with the aim of playing his first football since last February in the New Year but a £10m payment from the cash-strapped Blues will be triggered once the forward makes his 20th appearance for the club.
To date, Dele has played 13 times for Everton, 12 as a substitute, and could, fitness and selection by manager Sean Dyche permitting, pass the 20-game mark this season.
However, with his contract up in the summer and Everton taking on loans to cover expenses related to the construction of their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, there is no desire to make any payment for the player this season.
Tom Allnutt reports that Tottenham suggested the fee be reduced to £8m but want the number of appearances that would trigger it lowered, thereby making it more likely that the Toffees would have to stump up cash.
That has been rejected according to the report which leaves things as they were for now, but with both sides open to further talks.