Jermain Defoe has revealed Real Madrid were keen on Everton midfielder Dele Alli early in his career.

The pair played together at Tottenham and Defoe made the revelation when discussing Alli's current form problems.

“When It's not happening for you at one club, then you go to another club, you feel you have something to prove," the ex-Spurs striker said on Sky Sports.

“You get that fire back and want to impress the players in training. The manager and the coaches. I just think it's strange.

“I remember having a conversation with Dele Alli and he said to me, not just speculation, he said to me [that] Real Madrid were on the phone to his agent. This was a few years ago.

“To be linked with Real Madrid and later on you go to Everton, yet you still can't get into the team, then there is something wrong."