Tottenham beating Man Utd to Miralem Pjanic transfer could be bad news for 5 stars

Tottenham: First six fixtures of 2021/22 Premier League season

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Tottenham are reportedly ahead of Manchester United in the race to land Miralem Pjanic from Barcelona with Fabio Paratici having previously signed him when he was chief football officer at Juventus. But the midfielder’s arrival could be bad news for some of some Spurs’ current players. Here, Express Sport looks at who could lose out if Pjanic becomes one of Nuno Espirito Santo’s signings in the summer transfer window. 

Harry Winks

Harry Winks became something of a forgotten man last season under Jose Mourinho, making just nine starts in the Premier League.

The 25-year-old dropped down the pecking order with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Tanguy Ndombele’s partnership in midfield one of the few highs for Spurs last term.

Of course, under a new manager the players will start with a blank slate, and Winks will hope to recapture the form that saw him earn 10 England caps.

But he may have more work to do than some of his team-mates to show Nuno he should be in the starting line-up.

TRANSFER LATEST: Harry Kane responds to Fabio Paratici claims and delivers Nuno verdict

Oliver Skipp

Oliver Skipp impressed on loan at Norwich City last season, making himself a key player as he started an incredible 44 games for the Championship title-winners.

He was described by Mourinho as a future Spurs captain, and will return to Tottenham for pre-season no doubt hoping he can impress Nuno and stake his claim for a regular role next season.

But the potential arrival of Pjanic would restrict chances in midfield, and it could be that Skipp continues his development with another loan.

After he was so important to their success last season, the Canaries would surely be keen to give the 20-year-old that chance.

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Giovani Lo Celso

After a couple of niggles early on last term, a hamstring injury ruined most of the rest of Giovani Lo Celso’s season.

The 25-year-old had chipped in with a few goals in the Europa League and Premier League early in the season, before his injury forced him to miss 23 games in the middle of the campaign.

Now fit again, he has played in four of Argentina’s five Copa America games so far – starting three of them.

So he will be eager for a chance to prove his worth – but will hope his injury hasn’t set him back too far in the pecking order.

Moussa Sissoko

Moussa Sissoko made just 15 starts in the Premier League last season, with his most consistent run in the team coming towards the back end of 2020 and into new year.

The 31-year-old found himself out of the picture under Ryan Mason, playing just one minute of top-flight action under the caretaker boss.

Again a change of regime could help Sissoko – but it seems likely he would be one the leading candidates to miss out if Pjanic were to sign.

Dele Alli

Dele Alli was another forgotten man under Mourinho, and was linked with a January move after barely playing during the first half of the season. 

He enjoyed a mini resurgence later in the campaign, as did Gareth Bale, another player who could hardly get on the pitch early on.

It remains to be seen whether Alli can recapture the form that made him one of England’s most exciting young players – although Nuno wlll surely want to give him the chance to do so.

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