PEP GUARDIOLA wants Manchester City to make a shock move for Harry Winks.
The England midfielder is facing an uncertain future under Jose Mourinho at Tottenham – but his old rival Guardiola is a serious admirer of the player.
Pep Guardiola wants Manchester City to make a shock move for Harry Winks
Winks, 24, signed a new five-year contract with Spurs only last summer under Mauricio Pochettino.
But the arrival of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg from Southampton is likely to see his first-team chances limited next term.
Spurs are always reluctant to sell to big-six rivals but Mourinho is desperate to make more signings to put his own stamp on his squad and knows he needs to sell if there are to be any significant signings.
Winks is believed to be one valuable asset who could be allowed to go, if Spurs attract a bid in excess of £40million.
Despite Mourinho’s problems with £56m club-record signing Tanguy Ndombele, it is highly unlikely that the Frenchman would attract a bid for anything like the sum Spurs paid to sign him from Lyon last summer.
Winks is seen as a Spanish-style midfielder, excellent in possession, and regarded as ‘very much a Pep player and not a Jose player’.
Guardiola does have decent options in central midfield but is said to be intrigued by the prospect of developing Winks to his full potential.
Winks was a regular starter for Spurs in the later stages of the season but the club fought hand to land Hojbjerg, despite stiff competition from Everton.
And the Dane has been lined up for the deep-lying midfield role held by Winks.
If Tottenham indicate they will allow Winks to go, there is likely to be strong interest from Spain and Italy.
But clubs from those leagues would be less likely than City to make a bid which could tempt Spurs to sell.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola says that Thiago Alcantara could easily play in the Premier League
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
