Everton's transfer activity could ramp up over the coming days and weeks after what has been a quiet start to the current window.
The Blues are ready to announce James Tarkowski as their first arrival of the summer when his contract with Burnley officially expires on June 30th. But, that's not the only area of the pitch that Frank Lampard and Kevin Thelwell have already begun work in identifying their targets.
The ECHO understands that discussions have taken place with Tottenham Hotspur over Harry Winks, with the Everton manager believing the former England international can bolster his options in a much-needed position. Talks have been ongoing, with some reports suggesting that the North London side would want a fee approaching £20m, while the Blues would prefer a loan move for the player.
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But, how would the potential signing fit in with players that Everton already have in that role? And what qualities would have drawn the eye of the Everton hierarchy?
To try and decipher that we've compared some of the statistics that Winks displayed over the course of last season, in which he made 19 appearances for Spurs but only nine of those came from the start, with the midfielders at Everton. We've set a limit of ten matches played, which rules Tom Davies out of this particular comparison thanks to his injury last year.
Many Evertonians came into the summer believing that a defensive midfielder should be high on the agenda for the club. With Jean-Philippe Gbamin's continued fitness issues and his subsequent loan move away, the club effectively didn't have someone who could act as a natural No.6 for the majority of a season.
Allan has stepped into that role well when called upon, but that's not his natural position. Fabian Delph was also strong in that role, but his injury problems often spoke for themselves - and that's why he has now left he club upon the expiry of his contract.
On first glance, Winks does not appear to be a player you'd naturally consider to be in the mould that supporters are suggesting. Someone who's energetic, combative, comfortable in possession but also a fantastic shield in front of the back four.
The Spurs man's defensive numbers per 90 minutes don't necessarily stack up well against Abdoulaye Doucoure, Allan, Andre Gomes and Delph's statistics from last season in that sense. The 26-year-old made 1.68 tackles per 90 minutes which is the lowest of the five players involved in the comparison - with Allan coming top with an impressive 3.17.
Adding in interceptions does shine a more favourable light on Winks as he comes second in the list with 1.88 per 90 minutes, but his "tackles and interceptions" figure still remains the lowest of the five. He also made less pressures per 90 minutes than each of the Everton stars included.
But, perhaps that's indicative of the difference between Spurs and the Blues last season. It stands to reason that those playing regularly at Goodison Park would have been asked to do a whole lot more defensive work given the relative form of the whole side, when you consider Antonio Conte led his team to Champions League qualification.
So maybe the defensive numbers don't provide the full picture from last season. And, perhaps, the Everton hierarchy are instead looking at his ability in possession to decipher if Winks can improve their fortunes.
The Spurs man boasted 20 more touches per 90 minutes than any of the Everton midfielders compared last season, and only Gomes beat him for touches inside the final third. Winks carried the ball 51.8 times per 90 minutes in his matches last season, with the the Blues' Portuguese midfielder coming second on that list with 35.9.
That meant the progressive distance the 26-year-old managed in possession far outweighed that of any Everton player, and the same can be said when looking at passing stats. Winks completed around 25 more passes per 90 minutes more than any of the Blues stars included, with a pass completion percentage higher than any of them too.
Per 90 minutes, the progressive distance of his passes was 319.4 - for context, the second on the list was Delph with 175.7. Winks is clearly a player comfortable on the ball and with the ability to progress his team up the pitch whenever he picks it up.
Again, there's perhaps a caveat to be applied here. Just as Everton's midfielders would have been asked to do a lot more defensive work last season, it stands to reason that those playing for Spurs would have had much more opportunity to get their feet on the ball and be a lot more expansive in possession.
But, clearly the hope for the Blues is that they can get closer to the way they truly want to play next season. They don't want to be backs-against-the-wall for the majority of the campaign, their identity must be at least heading in the right direction towards real improvement in the future.
In that sense, you could see why Winks could be a good addition - but only for the right deal. A loan would certainly be preferable given both Everton's financial situation, and the potential confidence of Winks after a season on the fringes of the Spurs side.
The Blues can't afford to be drawn into over-spending again in this window, and if other targets would be cheaper than the Tottenham man then it might serve them better to look elsewhere. If the aim is to sign a true No.6 in the mould that many would expect as well, then there might have to be more arrivals on top of the 26-year-old even if he was brought to the club.
However, if the right deal was in place, then you can see the arguments for Winks. If nothing else he'd arrive on Merseyside with something to prove, and that can often work in Everton's favour.
As ever, money will no doubt talk with this deal. Too much, and the Blues would be best served walking away.
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