Harry Winks close to Leicester City move?

The Foxes are back in the Championship for the first time in nine years after finishing inside the bottom three of the Premier League last season.

Dean Smith replaced Brendan Rodgers in the managerial hotseat during the campaign with the hope that the former Aston Villa boss could guide the squad to safety, however the East Midlands club will now be playing second-tier football in August.

According to the BBC, Winks could be part of the Leicester side who will be looking to make an immediate return to the top flight, with the club close to completing a £10m deal for the midfielder.

The 27-year-old made his debut for Spurs nearly a decade ago in December 2013, but in recent years has fell down the pecking order of midfield options in North London.

A desire for regular gametime saw Winks move to Sampdoria of Italy last season, however the loan spell - the first of the player's career - ended in disappointment, as the Blucerchiati were relegated after finishing bottom of the Serie A standings.

The Englishman made 19 league starts whilst in Italy - the second most during a single season for Winks - although it is understood the now Serie B club are not looking to re-sign him.

That stance has further opened the door for Leicester to hunt for the services of the midfielder, with new boss Enzo Maresca planning his Foxes engine room without James Maddison.

The former Norwich City playmaker's £40m move back into the Premier League was confirmed by Spurs on Wednesday night, with Ange Postecoglou looking to imprint his attacking philosophy at the North London outfit.

The Foxes are also believed to be on the verge of bringing England international Conor Coady to the club from Wolverhampton Wanderers, with the Midlands rivals said to have agreed on a £7.5m initial deal for the centre-back.

The potential arrivals of Winks and Coady in the coming days would involve significant financial outlays for a Championship club, highlighting that Leicester are aiming to be serious contenders for automatic promotion under Maresca next term.

Winks has featured 203 times for Tottenham since making his debut nearly a decade ago, although he has only managed more than 20 Premier League starts in a single campaign once.

Appearing regularly for Spurs in the 2019-20 campaign, the now 27-year-old caught the eye of England boss Gareth Southgate, however he has not selected the midfielder for a Three Lions camp since March 2021.

Winks will hope a move to the King Power Stadium will give him the opportunity to reignite his career in England, even if he has to give up top-flight football for the first time as a result.