The last remaining member of the Andre Villas Boas project – the seven signings brought in to replace Gareth Bale when he was sold to Real Madrid back in 2013, is about to leave Spurs, ending an eight years stint with the club.
That player is Argentine Erik Lamela, who was heavily linked with a move to Bologna last month, but now looks like he is heading to Italian giants Napoli, reports Corriere dello Sport.
The midfielder has also had talks with AC Milan as well as other clubs in the Italian top division, but it is believed Lamela’s representatives have had heaviest contact with Napoli, who are currently managed by Gennaro Gattuso.
Retweet if Erik Lamela's goal against Arsenal was your Precision Play of the Month!@GilletteUK #PrecisionPlayOfTheMonthpic.twitter.com/G0Hbwhiq9R
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 9, 2021
While it’s going to be very hard to negotiate a fee in the region of the same amount that the Argentine was bought for with potential suitors, with Daniel Levy at the table you never know.
But what we do know is that the sale of Lamela will still be valuable if we sold him for half of the £30 million spent on him, as he takes up a foreign player spot in the squad and it is likely that Dane Scarlett will be fast-tracked into the first team to play either on the wing or in his natural position as a striker when Harry Kane is injured.
Furthermore, Jack Clarke could potentially remain in the squad next season should another attacking midfielder be needed, and Tanguy Ndombele may be deployed in a more attacking position with Oliver Skipp set to return from his loan spell from Norwich and become a first team regular.
Should the club be interested in a replacement, the obvious one is Paulo Dybala who not only would replace Lamela, but also enable the club to shift on potentially someone like Lucas Moura for extra transfer funds too.
However, many fans are split as to who out of the two should be sold in the summer, with many arguing that while Lucas has more end product, Lamela gives everything for the club.
I'm sorry but I like him I always have. He always plays with passion and gives everything. Granted hes a hot head but that shows he wants to win. I would miss him. 💙
— Tina V (@tvacani54) April 15, 2021
Lucas scores more, assists more and is never injured
— 👤 (@world_classe) April 15, 2021
https://twitter.com/J98058616/status/1382647343829413888?s=20
Stuttgart midfielder Nicolas Gonzalez is also an option, but we think that it would be unlikely the club invests in another backup-squad rotation player especially when Clarke will be returning from his loan as well as Ryan Sessegnon – a player who’s future at Spurs is currently uncertain.
Lamela, 29, has scored just one goal in the Premier League this season which was that fantastic ‘Rabona’ goal against Arsenal in the North London Derby before he received a second yellow card for something identical to what happened between Scott McTominay and Heung-min Son last weekend against Manchester United.
Always been a big admirer of Lamela who plays with steel and tenacity. I can think of a few players I would see out the door before Lamela though understand how these things come about, football is never static and players will eventually always come and go. Can only wish Coco success wherever he end up.