The James McCarthy transfer saga is gathering pace. Earlier in the week, reports emerged that the 24-year-old Irish international may be on his way out of Everton after being linked with a host of Premier League clubs.
Spurs are the club to step up their interest and according to The Mirror, they are ready to make a £20m bid for McCarthy. It has been mooted that Spurs resident pace-merchant Aaron Lennon, who ended the season on loan at Goodison, could be used as a makeweight in the deal.
Everton are under no pressure to sell as McCarthy has three years remaining on his current deal at Goodison. A significant bid would be necessary to tempt the Toffee's into a deal and with McCarthy costing a reported £13m when he moved from Wigan Athletic in 2013, you would expect that Spurs would have to dig deep.
However, it has been alleged that he is unhappy with his current contract at Everton, and a move to White Hart Lane would certainly bring an improved deal. As tends to happen, Everton are under pressure to keep their prized assets after an underwhelming Premier League campaign, with Séamus Coleman repeatedly linked with a move with Man United.
Whether the duo make the move from Goodison or not, it's great to see Irish internationals being linked with big money transfers.
