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A Tottenham midfielder has made a key decision over his future which could play into the hands of either Aston Villa or Leeds.

Nuno Espirito Santo has been looking for his ideal starting eleven since taking over in June. He has changed between a 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 formation so far this campaign.

His first-choice midfield looks like it will be Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Oliver Skipp as a pairing. Either Tanguy Ndombele or Dele Alli will operate just in front to pull the strings and act as a link between midfield and attack.

However, that leaves no room for a couple of Tottenham stars. Argentine playmaker Giovani Lo Celso is yet to play a full 90 minutes in the league. He has had to rely mainly on Europa Conference League matches for game time.

England international Harry Winks is in a similar position. The academy graduate has played just 61 minutes in the Prem so far. He was left out of Nuno’s squad entirely for the north London derby defeat to Arsenal.

Winks was expected to move on during the summer in search of a starting place. Aston Villa and Leeds were joined by Everton in the hunt for his services.

But the 25-year-old eventually opted to remain at Tottenham, even though club chiefs were willing to listen to offers.

The Times now provide an update on Winks’ future. They write that he is ‘keen to leave on loan’ in January in a bid to kickstart his career.

The player is aware of ongoing interest from top-flight clubs Villa, Everton and Brighton. Leeds have since pulled out of the race as they monitor alternative signings.

Winks is also open to joining a club on the continent. Spanish outfit Valencia were linked with him earlier this year.

The central midfielder could be open to leaving Spurs permanently if he enjoys a potential loan spell.

He has only ever played for the north London side since gaining promotion to their first team in 2016.

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Pundit says Tottenham star has ‘lost his fire’

Former keeper Paddy Kenny has attempted to explain Dele Alli’s dipping form.

The Englishman was one of Spurs’ top performers during the Mauricio Pochettino era. However, he struggled following the arrival of Jose Mourinho and failed to reach a single league goal last season.

Nuno is giving the attacking midfielder a chance to impress this term. But Kenny thinks Alli needs to sort his attitude out if he wants to get back to his best.

Kenny told Football Insider:  “He came out himself and said he’d been difficult under Mourinho.

“Whether he needs to move on and have a fresh start, only he can know. But he needs to sort it out.

“If that’s still the case under a new manager, who he should be trying to impress, then his time’s up.

“Maybe even just living in a fresh area could make a difference. He just seems to have lost that fire that made him so good when he was younger.”

READ MORE: Summer Tottenham signing hints at next move after revealing Prem ‘shock’

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