Reports emanating from Italy claim that Napoli and Inter Milan have held discussions with Erik Lamela’s agent over the past few days about a possible exit from White Hart Lane. The Argentinian midfielder joined Spurs on a £30million transfer in August 2013 from AS Roma, where he had spent the previous two seasons.
While the 22-year-old has shown some moments of brilliance, his form has been inconsistent for the Premier League side since his arrival. The Italian website Calciomercato reports that regardless of Lamela’s ‘up-and-down’ performances, both Rafa Benitez and Walter Mazzarri are keen to bring the attacking midfielder back to Serie A.
Lamela has scored three goals in 17 appearances this season, but has failed to find the target in any of the eleven Premier League appearances.
The website claims that both clubs have spoken with Lamela’s agent in recent days, with Napoli intending to bring the young Argentine in as a replacement for the injured Lorenzo Insigne, and Inter looking to add more quality in their squad after a disappointing start to the league campaign.
It is believed that the transfer would initially be a loan deal, with a purchase clause included should the club want to make the move permanent. But Calciomercato specified that these ‘talks’ are still in the preliminary stages.
Tottenham have given no indication that they would be open to the deal. Though if the player’s agent is speaking with officials at the Italian clubs, Spurs may be pressured into a move during the January transfer window.
Tottenham have spent more than £100m on recruiting players since they sold Gareth Bale to Real Madrid in 2013. Spurs currently sit twelfth in the league table after eleven matches.
