England new boy Harry Winks was subject to a failed loan bid from Nice

  • Tottenham rejected a loan bid from Nice to take Harry Winks last season 
  • They wanted Winks to star in the centre of their midfield 
  • Winks would have been playing alongside former Liverpool man Mario Balotelli 

Nice were foiled in an audacious attempt to sign England new-boy Harry Winks on loan last season.

Winks, who shone on his international debut in Lithuania on Sunday night, has paid tribute to club manager Mauricio Pochettino, whose record of nurturing senior England players is phenomenal.

Under Pochettino's management, 12 players have gone on to make their England debuts - Winks the latest.

Harry Winks was wanted on loan by Nice last season but Totteham rejected their advances

Harry Winks was wanted on loan by Nice last season but Totteham rejected their advances

And Sportsmail can reveal Ligue 1 side Nice - whose squad includes Mario Balotelli - were rebuffed in their attempts to lure the talented youngster from north London last season.


The decision underlines Pochettino's huge faith in the 21-year-old midfielder, who is having a growing influence at White Hart Lane.