Harry Winks has been backed by Alex McLeish to leave Tottenham Hotspur in favour of Everton in the January transfer window.
In an interview with Football Insider, Alex McLeish has spoken about the situation that Harry Winks finds himself in at Tottenham. The former Scotland head coach has tipped the 25-year-old outcast to depart the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the January transfer window to join Everton.
Harry Winks joined the Tottenham Hotspur academy as a six-year-old back in 2002. And he made massive strides in the north London club’s youth setup, progressing through the ranks before earning his breakthrough with the first-team squad in 2014, while he was still in his teens.
Over the last seven years, the 25-year-old has endured a topsy turvy spell in the Tottenham senior side, and has not really managed to establish himself as a mainstay in midfield for Spurs. The same appears to be the case early in 2021/22 as well, with Winks only starting four of the 12 games that Nuno Espirito Santo & co. have played so far.
Things now seem to have reached a head for Winks, who is keen on securing a loan move away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with recent reports suggesting that AS Roma and Inter Milan are both interested in snapping him up. And now, Alex McLeish has had his say on Winks’s situation, suggesting that a move to Everton or Aston Villa could serve him well.
Speaking to Football Insider, the former Scotland boss said, “I definitely feel that it can enhance the squads of either club [Everton and Aston Villa]. I don’t say that because I’m saying they’re lower than Tottenham or anything. Sometimes there’s too much pressure at a certain club you’re at.”
“When you go away, you can get your wings free and then do your stuff. Not be under the same intense pressure. That sounds as if I’m giving these guys a cop-out. They can still enhance their and improve their careers by moving. Even if it’s to a so-called lesser club, they can come back strong.”
With his career seemingly headed nowhere at Tottenham, a move to Everton or Aston Villa could indeed be a step in the right direction for Winks. Everton were even linked with a move for the 25-year-old outcast in the summer before a move failed to materialise. As for January, it remains to be seen if the Toffees reignite their interest in him or if some other clubs swoops Winks away instead.