Leeds United have joined the race for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Harry Winks following issues in Everton’s approach for the midfielder, according to the Liverpool Echo . Toffees manager Frank Lampard has identified Winks as a top target for his side as they look to strengthen the midfield, but it has been reported that they and Spurs have hit a bump in the road.
Everton are looking for a loan option for Winks, with the club severely burdened by Financial Fair Play regulations, but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has deemed the midfielder surplus to requirements and wants to secure a permanent sale worth around £20million. The two sides look set to do business in the coming days, with Richarlison on the way to London for an initial £50million.
Winks made just 19 Premier League appearances last season and was frozen out of the Spurs side by Antonio Conte. Their signing of Yves Bissouma has only pushed the 26-year-old further down the pecking order and he is keen on a move away in search for more regular football.
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And with Everton talks stalling, Leeds have reportedly come into the fray. Jesse Marsch is keen on adding numbers to the midfield after that area was exposed throughout most of last season’s relegation fight, and with Kalvin Phillips looking set for a move to Manchester City, the Whites boss will need to bring in reinforcements swiftly.
Winks - who has earned 10 caps for England since his debut in 2017 - isn’t thought to be a direct replacement for Phillips by any means, but Leeds need numbers in midfield and may see Winks as a proven Premier League option alongside signings from Europe. The Echo report that Goodison Park is the midfielder’s preferred destination, but if the two clubs cannot agree on a deal then he will look elsewhere in order to rack up consistent minutes.
And while he is currently valued by Levy and Spurs at £20million, their stance may soften later in the window as they become more insistent on offloading fringe players. Victor Orta will no doubt be prioritising a direct Phillips replacement before spending time and money on additional reinforcements, with a move for Winks potentially something to return to later in the window.
Leeds have been in contact with RB Leipzig’s Tyler Adams as a potential replacement for Phillips, with a third swoop in Austria also linked in the form of RB Salzburg midfielder Mohamed Camara.
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