OPINION
Erik Lamela could reportedly be used in a player-plus-cash deal for Tottenham to sign Roma attacker Nicolo Zaniolo, and that would be a masterstroke of a deal if Daniel Levy is able to pull off something like that.
The Mirror has recently reported that Spurs are plotting a £40million swoop to sign Zaniolo, 19, in the summer transfer window after an impressive breakthrough season by the teenager at Roma.
Real Madrid, Juventus and Bayern Munich are also said to be hot on the heels of Zaniolo, who made his senior debut for Italy in March and has scored six goals and supplied two assists in 35 appearances across all competitions for Roma this term.
However there is a chance that Spurs could put the ball in their court in the chase for Zaniolo’s signature because football.london claim that Roma may want Lamela back at the Stadio Olimpico.
It is understood that Spurs’ Argentina international could be used as “part of any deal” that sees Zaniolo head to North London with Roma interested in their former player.
Levy would be playing a blinder if he struck a deal like this because not only would it chip away at Roma’s valuation of Zaniolo, but it would also get rid of a player who Spurs fans have not seen the best from in the last few years.
Lamela has shown in glimpses that he is a great player but he is injured way too often, with just 53 Premier League appearances in the last three seasons.
Tottenham cannot continue to rely on someone who is so plagued by injuries and Zaniolo is someone who has risen to prominence this season and could be a real star for the North London club.
Levy should definitely try to seal a part-exchange deal that would see Lamela and a handsome sum of money head to Roma for Zaniolo to come to London.