Tottenham’s Winks still eyeing a move to Everton

According to reports today, Spurs’ Harry Winks still wants to engineer a move to Everton despite the story of his potential transfer having gone cold recently.

This was a rumour that quickly gathered momentum once the season ended and the transfer window opened with claims that a move was close or that he might be part of a swap deal with Richarlison leaving Everton in exchange.

Richarlison has joined Tottenham but as yet nothing has come of all these stories and Winks remains a Spurs’ player, for the moment at least.

There was probably mixed views and feelings amongst Toffees’ supporters about the possibility of the English midfielder swapping North London for Merseyside.

Many, myself included, are not convinced that Winks represents the best option as the Blues’ try to strengthen the middle of the team.

The 26-year-old was a well-regarded young talent who emerged under the managership of Mauricio Pottichino and at one time it seemed as though he was looking at a bright future in the game and possibly an England career too.

But, it didn’t pan out that way and after Pottichino left Spurs’ Winks opportunities and career took a downward turn. Recently, he’s been largely frozen out of the first-team under other managers such as Jose Mourinho and that looks very likely to continue under Antonio Conte.

In one sense Winks fits the profile of the kind of player Everton have perhaps too often signed. Talented, but having seemingly lost his way and fallen down the pecking order at his current club.

One excellent example of this largely failed strategy was Alex Iwobi. The Nigerian winger was of course signed in the summer of 2018 for a huge fee after the Blues’ had supposedly been chasing Wilfried Zaha for weeks.

Iwobi’s time at Goodison Park can hardly been regarded as a success. However, there were a few signs at the back end of last season that he might still have a future in an Everton shirt.

Anyway, Winks still appears to be keen for a move up north to try and revive his career as his opportunities in Conte’s rapidly restructured Spurs side diminish.

With rumours that Oleksandr Zinchenko, who I think would be a very good midfield option (if he was available and affordable) might now stay at Manchester City, perhaps a deal for Winks will be revived.

There are though other options being mentioned and while we wait for any movements on further signings, I imagine Winks name will continue to crop up.