According to pundit Noel Whelan, Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Harry Winks could lead a summer exodus at N17 following the news of Antonio Conte’s upcoming transfer plans.
The Lowdown: Few incomings in January
The January transfer window proved to be underwhelming for the Lilywhites boss after the north London club missed out on many of the main targets that he had personally requested to be brought in.
Luckily, the deadline day arrival of Juventus duo Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur provided the Italian with some much-needed fresh legs after the likes of Bryan Gil, Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso all departed Hotspur Way on loan deals until the end of the season.
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The Latest: Whelan’s assessment
On 20 April, The Telegraph reported that Conte is set to tell Spurs chief Daniel Levy that he wants to sign six news players in the summer.
Due to squad limits being reached, Whelan has weighed in on who he thinks will be likely to make way for the new signings. Speaking with Football Insider, he said of Conte:
“He’s got rid of Dele Alli, he’s got players out in that winter transfer window.
“It’s going to be a shakeup because you can’t afford to bring in six and keep everyone. I think if you’ve gone out on loan, then you’re out on loan for a reason. That’s unless you’re a really young player getting experience.
“Conte will want to trim the squad, bring in his own people, he’s not had a summer transfer window yet. He’s only had a winter one, which is difficult, and the two players brought in have made a difference.
“Conte’s still probably learning and figuring out himself who needs to be at the football club. He’s had enough opportunities during the bad times of European football.
“The nights we’ve seen that second string have a chance to prove themselves, they’ve been very unsuccessful. Harry Winks is probably one out there that he’s questioning whether he needs to keep.”
“To give him the six players and the money is vital for how successful Tottenham will be next year. There have got to be outs, absolutely.”
The Verdict: Winks likely to leave
The likes of Winks, who has accumulated just 35 minutes of Premier League football in Tottenham’s last eight games, may well lead the summer exodus as Conte looks set to bring in a new crop of talent.
Furthermore, it seems quite likely that those players currently out on loan will also leave the club for good in the summer. For example, Fabrizio Romano has already revealed that Villareal plan to open talks with Spurs over a permanent deal for Lo Celso, so it would be surprising to see the Argentine lining up in a Lilywhites shirt next season.
Therefore, if Levy grants Conte’s wish and sanctions the arrival of a whole host of new first-team players, numerous exits from Hotspur Way could well and truly be on the cards this summer.
In other news: Antonio Conte is eyeing a move for this former Arsenal gem