Exclusive: Top pundit Stunned Mourinho would want to sell Spurs favourite loved by Poch
Noel Whelan admits he would be stunned if Tottenham sold Harry Winks to Manchester City this summer.
The former Premier League striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, believes the midfielder is an important “commodity” for the club and that he should remain in north London.
The Sun report that Pep Guardiola is a big fan of the 24-year-old and is plotting a move this summer as Spurs set a £40million-plus asking price on his head.
Winks was a mainstay for Mourinho in the final months of the season and played every minute of the Lilywhites’ final six league games.
However, Spurs have just completed the signing of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and the Danish midfielder joins Winks, Moussa Sissoko, Giovano Lo Celso, Tanguy Ndombele, Gedson Fernandes and Eric Dier as options in the centre of the pitch.
Whelan admits it would be baffling to see Winks move to a Premier League rival this summer and suggests someone like Ndombele should be sold ahead of the England international.
Whelan told Football Insider: “You think if a team like Manchester City are after one of your players at £40million, why are you not wanting to keep him? It’s one of those bizarre transfer rumours.
“For me, Harry Winks, a fantastic, young English player, done great at Tottenham during his time with Pochettino, brought through the right time and the right way and then Mourinho obviously doesn’t fancy him at all.
“If you look at one of your rivals looking at one of your players, would you want to sell him to them? The fact you’ve got Ndombele there as well, if they’re not going to sell him, they’re going to have to sell one of them.
“I just think having young, British players coming through the ranks at that club are probably more important than your big-name signings. They’re a commodity for the club, he’s an international player.
“Why would you let him go there (City)? Why would you let them go to a rival team who’s going to be pushing you in the Premier League?”
In other Tottenham news, it can be REVEALED two midfielders are set to leave Spurs after Hojbjerg’s arrival.