Tottenham Hotspur ready to offer £20m player-plus-cash offer for James McCarthy?

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly preparing a £20m player-plus-cash offer for Everton midfielder James McCarthy.

The 24-year-old is thought to be a long-term target for Mauricio Pochettino, and the Spurs boss is now expected to test the Toffees' resolve with a hefty bid this month.

Goal.com claims that, having given up their pursuit of Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin, the North London outfit will offer club captain Younes Kaboul plus long-serving winger Aaron Lennon as a makeweight in any transfer.

It is also suggested that Spurs are willing to negotiate with Everton over a number of possible players who they would be willing to let go in order to land the Republic of Ireland international.

McCarthy, who has also been linked with a move to Arsenal in the past, has not featured for Roberto Martinez's struggling side since last month's 3-2 defeat against Newcastle United.