Tottenham Hotspur demanded £40million for Everton target Harry Winks, according to The Times' Gary Jacobs. 

The lowdown

Winks started just nine Premier League matches for Spurs last season, and has only played 61 top-flight minutes so far this term (via WhoScored).

It's a tricky period for a player Mauricio Pochettino once compared to Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

The 25-year-old has two years left to run on his £50,000-per-week contract at the North London club.

Winks has racked up ten England caps since his debut in October 2017, but has yet to make the squad for a major tournament (via Transfermarkt).

The latest

The report states that both Everton and Aston Villa were interested in signing the Englishman during the summer transfer window.

However, Spurs' valuation deterred both clubs from making a move.

Had Everton agreed to pay £40million, it would have been their second biggest transfer outlay of all time.

The verdict

It was inevitable that Everton pulled out when that figure was floated. £40million is a frankly extortionate price tag for Winks, a player who despite his ability on the ball lacks the athleticism to thrive as a true box-to-box midfielder.

In all honesty, you could question whether, even for a quarter of that price, he truly improves Everton. This is a player who has stagnated in north London.

Rafael Benitez is probably better looking elsewhere if he's intent on bolstering his midfield ranks.

In other news, a contract extension for this midfielder has been predicted.