Former Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is amazed his old club had a clear run for former MK Dons midfielder Dele Alli.

Redknapp wrote in the London Evening Standard: "As I've said before, my goalkeeping coach Kevin Hitchcock at QPR went to watch his son play at MK Dons last year and came back every week telling me Alli was an absolute genius.

"He scored goals, made assists and was League One Player of the Year. Tottenham stole him for £5m.

"I never tried to sign him then because we were struggling all year and were just in for short-term fixes but it shames the recruitment networks at the top clubs — who could think further ahead — that they didn't go in for him. Why didn't Arsenal sign him? Don't tell me Chelsea shouldn't have bought him for £5m. What's £5m to Manchester United, especially with the way they throw their money around now? Okay, Liverpool did show some interest but for, whatever reason, did not follow it through."