---
title: "Exclusive: Michael Ball wants Everton to bolster options with Harry Winks"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/exclusive-michael-ball-wants-everton-to-bolster-options-with-harry-winks/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Danny Rust"
section: "Everton"
published: "2021-08-18T17:35:59Z"
modified: "2021-08-18T17:35:59Z"
---

# Exclusive: Michael Ball wants Everton to bolster options with Harry Winks

**Michael Ball has called for Rafa Benitez to strengthen his midfield options by welcoming Harry Winks to Everton.**

Benitez was [appointed](https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2181395/benitez-appointed-everton-manager) as the Toffees’ new boss in June and made a winning start to his Goodison Park reign as Everton came from behind to seal a [3-1 victory](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58124897) over Southampton on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

However, the Merseyside club suffered a blow before the curtain-raiser as [five players](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58200877) were forced to self-isolate due to coronavirus guidelines.

\[freshpress-poll id=”370409″\]

Two of Benitez’s new signings, [Andros Townsend](https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2193729/townsend-joins-everton) and [Demarai Gray](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57916930), were thrown straight into the starting line-up but former Everton left-back Ball wants the Spaniard to target Winks.

Winks was an [unused substitute](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/harry-winks/leistungsdaten/spieler/249126) in Tottenham Hotspur’s weekend win over Manchester City and, [according](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf7VE-5N7C4) to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Everton hold an interest.

Aston Villa are also [courting](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2021/06/30/man-city-promote-teenage-midfielder-romeo-lavia-first-team-squad/?utm_content=football&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1625066103) the 25-year-old central midfielder but Ball has urged Benitez to make sure Winks heads to Goodison Park as long as the Toffees abide by financial regulations.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”350909″\]

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Ball said: *“Harry Winks does fit the bill. I think Everton have a lot of money to spend and they would like to spend it but, unfortunately, Financial Fair Play is hindering the football club right now.*

*“It’s a question of whether Marcel Brands can maximise the amount of money they can bring in to go and invest in players like Harry Winks.”*