Report: Spurs man who started against Leeds is Newcastle’s prime January target

According to The Daily Mail, Harry Winks is emerging as Newcastle United’s prime January transfer target.

Winks struggled for game time under Nuno Espirito Santo this season after being a bit-part player for the majority of last campaign under Jose Mourinho.

However, the midfielder did get his first start under Antonio Conte in Tottenham’s 2-1 win over Leeds United on Sunday, in place of the suspended Oliver Skipp.

Conte praised the 25-year-old’s second-half performance, particularly the character he showed on the back of a difficult first half.

The Spurs academy graduate will be hoping that he could build on his performance against Leeds and go on to play an important part under the Italian head coach.

However, If The Mail are to be believed, Winks could be open to a move in January if he continues to play a bit-part role at the North London club.

The report claims that the midfielder was a summer target for Newcastle under their previous regime but the Magpies struggled to shift players out to make room for the Spurs man.

It is explained that new boss Eddie Howe is keen to add creativity to his midfield ranks and would prefer to sign players with Premier League experience.

He is thus said to have identified Winks as one of his top targets when the transfer window reopens.

Spurs Web Opinion

I cannot see Winks establishing himself as a regular in Conte’s midfield even if the Italian switches from a 3-4-3 to a 3-5-2.

The likes of Hojbjerg, Skipp and Ndombele (potentially Lo Celso) will likely be ahead of the 25-year-old in the pecking order.

However, I am not sure Spurs will want to let Winks go in January as doing so might leave them exposed in case they get a few injuries in midfield.

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