Newcastle United target Harry Winks’ price tag has now been reportedly lowered to £15m with the Tottenham midfielder keen to find regular game time.
What’s the story?
That’s according to the Sunday People (29/5; page 55) who claim that the Magpies, as well as Premier League rivals Southampton, are keen on the 26-year-old whose price tag had been previously set at £25m.
The midfielder has struggled for game time under Antonio Conte, with the 10-cap Englishman starting just nine league matches this term.
It’s the second consecutive season where Winks has made 30 appearances for Spurs whilst also starting just nine games in the Premier League, suggesting that his situation in north London isn’t going to improve.
Imagine him & Bruno
At £25m, Winks’ valuation seemed excessive but, lowered by almost half, the midfielder’s current price tag is fair.
With senior international experience and 203 appearances for his boyhood club, of which 128 have come in the Premier League, Winks possesses impressive experience for a player who could potentially join a club that finished in the bottom half of the Premier League table this season.
Granted, Newcastle supporters may be underwhelmed at the possibility of signing Winks given the ongoing links with blockbuster players ahead of PIF’s first summer transfer window at the helm of the North-East outfit.
However, Eddie Howe certainly needs quality depth in midfield with the likes of Sean Longstaff, Isaac Hayden, Jonjo Shelvey and Joe Willock all subject to argument that they aren’t the standard Howe would like in his side.
Bruno Guimares has proven to be a revelation since his move from Lyon in January and, although Winks isn’t of the same pedigree, the two could form an intriguing partnership in front of the back-line.
Despite averaging 48 minutes a league game this season, the 26-year-old averaged 30.3 successful passes per appearance with an accuracy of 88% whilst winning 2.1 duels with a success rate of 51%.
The defensive midfielder also chipped in with 0.8 interceptions, 0.8 tackles and 0.4 clearances.
Having played under three different permanent managers over the past two seasons, Winks’ fortunes haven’t improved and therefore now appears to be the right time for the Englishman to leave Tottenham in search of regular game time.
Although Newcastle may also target higher-profile names, Howe will need quality in-depth and could certainly make the 26-year-old midfielder a regular in the North-East.
AND in other news: Newcastle can afford to miss out on “magic” £40.5m-rated gem this summer, he’s no ASM
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