Former England striker Kevin Phillips has suggested that Newcastle United could be an ideal destination for Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks, who could be set for a move away from London in January.
The 24-year-old has found first team minutes hard to come by in the Premier League so far this season, with the 10-cap England international having made just four league appearances (Sofascore).
That has led to reports that he could potentially be seeking a move away in January. The midfielder has intimated that his situation with Spurs at the moment is ‘difficult’ and that he may need to go somewhere else for more regular game-time as he aims to make England’s squad for Euro 2020 next summer.
Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips suggested that Newcastle could be an ideal move for him given the Magpies’ need for another midfielder, believing that a switch to Tyneside could bring about regular game-time to boost his national team prospects. The 47-year-old said:
Winks wants to go and play football. Newcastle is a huge, huge club and it is an area that Steve Bruce has been looking at.
He brought Jeff Hendrick in and he has done a good job for them but Harry Winks is a top player.
I could see that one happening. Maybe the boy would like to get away from London and try somewhere else. He could go there, play football and impress. It would give him a real fighting chance of getting in that squad next summer.
Read Newcastle verdict
Newcastle are reportedly in the market for a new midfielder in January, with Hendrick having struggled to impress since his summer move, while both Isaac Hayden and Jonjo Shelvey have endured injury problems. The Magpies still have loan berths available from Premier League clubs after missing out on the likes of Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the summer.
Bruce’s side has lacked a quality presence in the middle of the park who can get on the ball and retain possession, with the Magpies averaging the lowest average possession per game in the Premier League. Winks offers that greater ability on the ball, having averaged an impressive 90% passing accuracy last season (Sofascore).
As Phillips suggests, a move to Newcastle could well benefit both parties in January, as it would enable the Magpies to have a quality option to call upon who has Premier League experience, and also give the midfielder the chance to impress Gareth Southgate.
