Reports: Barcelona to make shock €39 million bid for English midfielder
What's the story?
It appears that Barcelona are still not happy with the kind of squad they have put together after a summer spent chasing Philippe Coutinho and getting Paulinho (and, of course, Ousmane Dembele) but Ernesto Valverde has looked his midfield up and down, decided that Andre Gomes is no midfielder and has asked his higher-ups to bring in some fresh faces.
The Sun report that Barcelona sent their sporting direct Robert Fernandez to Wembley to watch Tottenham Hotspur eviscerate Real Madrid - with the intention of scouting Christian Eriksen, but walked away with a whole different player on his radar.
Fernandez is now looking to make a shock €39 million bid for English sensation Harry Winks as the Catalans aim to continue strengthening their traditional stronghold of midfield.
In case you didn't know
Harry Winks has impressed immensely in the middle of the field for Tottenham under the aegis of Mauricio Pochettino, earning the 21-year-old an early call-up to the English senior squad earlier this year.
As we'd already mentioned in his scout report - the midfielder joined Spurs at the age of 11 and steadily made progress through the youth ranks before joining the Tottenham U21 in 2014 from the U18s. A couple of seasons later, he got promoted to the U23 squad and eventually made his debut in the first team in the same season. He has already signed a couple extensions with the club over his initial contract which proves the club are willing to take a gamble on him.
The heart of the matter
A central midfielder with a keen eye for the key pass, Winks' ability to set a metronomic passing rhythm going as well as his positional discipline that makes Tottenham's midfield such an airtight unit at the back is what attracts Barcelona to the midfielder.
Video
Harry Winks running the show against Real Madrid
He'd fit right into the Blaugrana philosophy, wouldn't he?
Author's Take
Harry Winks is arguably too young, and too unproven for Barcelona to take a punt at. Besides, it'd be better for his career if he stuck with a manager who trust him, believes in him, and continues to give him first-team chances in the biggest games.