According to reports it looks more and more likely that Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks may well join Everton as talks are apparently taking place between the clubs.
There have been ongoing rumours that Everton are interested in Winks pretty much ever since the season finished and media attention turned to summer signings.
Links involving the Toffees’ and Winks are not new and like so many other players his name surfaced during last summer’s window as well.
I am not convinced that Winks is a player the Blues’ need and despite showing early promise and potential, his career appears to have gone backwards since Mauricio Pottechino left Spurs. Could it be revived by another young manager with a good reputation working with young players?
According to Whoscored.com analysis he possesess some qualities that would on paper make him a solid addition to Everton’s midfield. However, there are others with just as important qualities needed in the engine room.
More defensive resiliance and the ability to provide cover, protection and support in front of that notoriously vulnerable back four, are though certainly one of many priorities this summer. But, the team also desperately needs more offensive creativity and goals from midfield.
Of the orthodox midfielders in the current squad, Allan is 32 and injury-prone and could well leave in this window if a decent offer comes in for him.
Frenchman Abdoulaye Doucoure’s form declined alarmingly towards the back end of last season and he is anyway more of a box-to-box type rather than a deeper-lying defensive number six, which is what Frank Lampard appears to be searching for especially since Fabian Delph left.
Meanwhile, Tom Davies was injured and out for the whole second half of the campaign and anyway in truth he has failed to take his numerous chances to cement a regular place in the side.
I feel that if Everton are looking to sign this sort of midfielder, a player like Oleksandr Zinchenko would be a much better option to provide that kind of defensive screen in midfield.
He’s also a player with a good range of passing and can contribute to improving the creativity of the Toffees’ attack as well.
Although, the quoted fee for him would probably be out of the Blues’ range, unless there are significant sales of playing assets soon, i.e. Richarlison leaving.
So, is Winks an alternative, more affordable option than the Ukrainian? Well, maybe but to be honest I hope it’s all still just a rumour.