Karl Robinson is bracing himself for a bid from Newcastle United for his 18-year-old prodigy Dele Alli.

The MK Dons manager has admitted that rumours regarding a potential £9m move to Tyneside for Alli are “more than just paper talk”.

Although no offer has actually been made Graham Carr, Newcastle’s chief scout, has regularly watched Alli in action for MK Dons this season and the versatile attacking midfielder is believed to be one of his long-standing targets. “There’s been a lot of talk over Dele and Newcastle United and certain clubs,” said Robinson. “I think it’s a bit more than paper talk but there’s nothing definite that we’ve heard yet.”

The richly gifted England Under-19 international, already dubbed “the new Steven Gerrard”, has scored 11 goals this season, helping MK Dons to third place in League One, but Newcastle are not Alli’s only suitors. Liverpool are among those clubs to have had him scouted this season and are thought to be giving serious consideration to signing him.