Tottenham Transfer Rumours: Erik Lamela Would Help Replace Gareth Bale If Needed

Tottenham are looking for a way to secure the future of the club regardless of what happens to the current roster. Fortunately, they are going after a target that would accomplish this goal.

The need for a big-time player has gotten more important as it seems likely that superstar Gareth Bale will eventually be heading out of town.

Manager Andre Villas-Boas has already ruled him out of the first three matches of the season and said that his relationship with Bale has deteriorated, according to John Percy of The Telegraph.

While Tottenham have already brought in a few quality offensive players this season, including Paulinho and Roberto Soldado, replacing a player like Bale is a tough task. This is why the club is also going after Roma star Erik Lamela, according to Simon Jones of the Daily Mail:

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Tottenham are continuing discussions over a deal for £30m-rated Roma forward Erik Lamela.

Technical director Franco Baldini knows Lamela well having seen the 21-year-old develop at close quarters in Rome and believes he can fit into Andre Villas-Boas’s plans.

The Portuguese coach wants his side to play a fluid 4-3-3 formation and Lamela has the attributes to play in various roles across the front line.

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This versatility is one of the most appealing characteristics of the youngster. He scored 15 goals last season in Serie A and added five assists while playing in various spots across the front line.

Whether Bale stays or goes, Lamela would be able to find a role with the Premier League club on the attack. He knows how to play alongside elite talent and should be able to immediately improve the Spurs' offense.

Just as importantly, the forward represents a bright future at just 21 years old. The reason Tottenham have been so reluctant to part with Bale is that he is only 24 years old, and represents someone who could be the face of the organization for years to come.

With the talent that Lamela possesses, he can take over that role as he continues to grow both physically and mentally until he reaches his full potential.

If Bale is eventually sold, the prospect of reaching the top four in the league seems unlikely.

However, the Roma forward pairing with the additions already with the club allows this to remain a possibility. If Tottenham fail to reach the goal this year, the talent on the squad would keep the dream alive in the future.

However, the next step at this point is finding a way to actually complete the deal. Tottenham were reported close to signing another Roma player earlier in the week when they were going after Pablo Osvaldo, according to Pat Sheehan of The Sun (subscription).

This attempt failed as the striker is now set to go to Southampton, according to Tancredi Palmeri of CNN:

Considering Osvaldo and Lamela were Roma's two top scorers last season, the club might be reluctant to sell both of them in the course of one week. Then again, there seems to be a price for everyone.

If Bale is sold to Real Madrid as expected, there would be plenty of money for Tottenham to spend on young Argentine Lamela. They must do whatever it takes to finalise a deal to help improve the club on the pitch and provide a confidence boost to everyone involved.  

It is near impossible to replace the reigning EPL Player of the Year, but Lamela would be a big step toward accomplishing that.

Without him, however, it could be a long season of losing for the Spurs.

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