Harry Winks transfer: Should Tottenham pay £32m to buy him back? Whisper+ verdict

Latest developments

• Tottenham Hotspur want to re-sign former player Harry Winks.
• The deal is expected to be worth £32 million.
• Winks left Spurs for Leicester City in the summer of 2023 for only £10 million.

Whsiper+ analysis

Authenticity (1.5/5): No sources local to either club

Tottenham are ready to suffer a major financial loss and bring academy graduate Harry Winks back to North London for £32 million, having sold him to Leicester in 2023 for £10 million.

That potential £22 million loss is being reported by Spanish site fichajes.net, who can often be trusted, but no outlets in England covering this story makes it highly questionable.

Value (1/5): Awful business for Spurs

Winks made just over 200 appearances for Spurs having come through their academy, but was rarely a regular starter, only once making more than 30 Premier League appearances in one season between 2015 and 2022.

A loan to Sampdoria followed before the permanent move to the Foxes, and though he has done well for Steve Cooper's side, is the 28-year-old worth paying more than three times what you sold him for?

Suitability (2/5): More defensive than Ange likes

The attack-minded philosophy that Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou favours is not exactly ideal for Winks, who is most at home as a defensive midfielder.

However, the central figure in the midfield of Ange's 4-3-3 system is often a more defensive option, giving some hope for Winks.

Upgrade? (3/5): Off-field issues mean Spurs need cover

At defensive midfield, Spurs currently have Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur, though the latter is facing a lengthy ban for racist comments made towards teammate Son Heung-min.

Depending on the length of the ban, Spurs may need to seek some reinforcements in that position.

Logic (3/5): Winks a main figure at Leicester

Having made his name on the white half of North London, Spurs will have a special place in Winks' heart, which could be enough to fuel a return.

However, game time is not guaranteed in a system that might not play to his strengths, thus he may be better off staying at Leicester, where he has played the full 90 minutes in the nine Premier League games he has started this season.

Whisper+ verdict: 10.5/25

There does not seem to be much meat in this rumour, and Tottenham fans should hope it stays that way. A huge loss to bring back a player who will do little to improve the side's fortunes makes £32 million look like bad business for Spurs and for Winks. There's a reason they say “never go back!”