Eamon Dunphy may not understand it but James McCarthy's stock remains high in the Premier League. The Everton midfielder's performances have been somewhat up and down over the past couple of years but he is nonetheless on quite a few manager's shortlists when the transfer window rolls around.
In the past few months, McCarthy has been earmarked by Jamie Carragher as a potential replacement for Steven Gerrard at Liverpool as well as seeing his name regularly linked with Man United. Once again, the 24 year old is rumoured to be on his way out of Goodison but this time it's Tottenham who have reportedly jumped to the top of the queue.
The Daily Mail are reporting that McCarthy is being lined up by Spurs after it became clear that a move for Morgan Schneiderlin was a non-starter. The Ireland international has been on the club's radar since before his move to Everton and now it seems they are ready to make a move with suggestions that McCarthy is unhappy with his current contract.
Despite McCarthy's supposed unhappiness, that contract has three years left to run and although McCarthy could expect to earn more at White Hart Lane, Spurs would need to make Everton a sizeable offer to convince them to sell the midfielder who cost them in the region of £13 million from Wigan two years ago.
While a straight cash deal would be most likely, the Mail are suggesting that players such as Aaron Lennon and Younes Kaboul could be used as makeweights to ensure Everton would be more inclined to parting company with McCarthy.
