TOTTENHAM ARE WEIGHING up a January move for Everton and Ireland star James McCarthy, according to reports in the Daily Mail.

The 24-year-old midfielder, who was bought by the club in 2013 for £13million from Wigan, is understood to be unhappy at Everton’s delay in offering him an improved contract.

McCarthy has quickly become one of the Toffees’ most influential players and his absence for a considerable portion of this season owing to a hamstring injury has not gone unnoticed, as Everton have struggled badly in his absence.

Paul Mitchell, Tottenham’s head of recruitment, is believed to be a long-term fan of McCarthy since his Wigan days, while the Ireland international is seemingly ideal for Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino’s high-energy style with an emphasis on pressing.

The paper also reports that Arsenal are interested in McCarthy, though with Everton supposedly unwilling to accept offers as high as £20million, their interest has cooled somewhat.

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