Everton: Frank Lampard’s midfield shortlist revealed as £15 million man emerges as target

Everton manager Frank Lampard wants to reinforce the midfield this summer. After a number of names being associated with Everton, Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Harry Winks is now the latest player being linked.

Everton’s midfield could see wholesale departures. Donny van de Beek will return to Manchester United. Fabian Delph’s deal will run out and there have been no indications of a new contract being offered. The Toffees will try to offload high wage earners like Andre Gomes and Allan. This could leave Lampard with wafer thin depth in midfield.

Dele Alli has to start firing and apart from that the Toffees do need different profiles that can run the game from the middle of the park. In last couple of weeks, transfer rumours have been swirling around and a number of midfield links have emerged.

From Oleksandr Zinchenko to Joao Palhinha, from Cheick Doucoure to Conor Gallagher, Lampard’s Everton seem to be in the market for all sorts of profiles and positions in the midfield. It appears that the former Chelsea boss does have a midfield shortlist which has a number of names including that of Winks.

Everton have Harry Winks on their shortlist

According to The Times, Spurs midfielder Winks has been told that he’s free to leave the North London side this summer. Lampard is hoping to make at least four signings this summer with midfield being a priority area to strengthen.

James Tarkowski is almost a completed free transfer which now allows the Toffees to concentrate on midfield. Winks is on Lampard’s list but there are other midfield maestros that the English manager is keeping an eye on.

Chelsea midfielder Gallagher, who spent the last season on loan at Crystal Palace, is high on Lampard’s list and is admired by the Everton boss. However, it has been reported that Thomas Tuchel will count on Gallagher and give him a chance to prove himself in pre-season.

The Merseysiders could be inclined to take Winks on loan instead of an outright transfer because of the precarious financial situation. Apart from Gallagher and Winks, Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour is also admired by Lampard.

Winks is valued at £15 million by Transfermarkt but Spurs are looking for at least £20 millionm from a sale. The 26 year old has slipped down the pecking order in Antonio Conte’s system who favours Rodrigo Bentancur over Winks.

Winks, a player with the traits of a defensive midfielder has skills in his locker to operate as a holding man and also to play as a central midfielder. However, the Toffees may struggle to table a bid that appeases Spurs into making a sale. So, a loan with an option to buy seems to be the run of play for Everton at the moment unless they manage to generate cash through the sale of Richarlison or Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Will Harry Winks join Everton?