Tottenham Transfer Rumours: Hulk and Erik Lamela Would Make Spurs Formidable

Gareth Bale who?

It's not a question Spurs fans are asking just yet, as the Welsh star's protracted move to Real Madrid seems destined to come to an end this week, but it is a question Tottenham supporters will ask if the club can use the money from that sale to add a few stars. 

So how do Hulk and Erik Lamela sound, Spurs fans? Pretty good, right?

Darn right those two names sound pretty good, as the pair would make Tottenham—alongside summer signings of Paulinho, Etienne Capoue, Roberto Soldado and Nacer Chadli—a legitimate title contender this season.

From Mike Walters of the Mirror:

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Tottenham are preparing a monster £30 million bid for Brazilian striker Hulk to get over Gareth Bale’s imminent world-record move to Real Madrid. 

Boss Andre Villas-Boas refused to confirm his move for the Zenit Saint Petersburg forward after Spurs completed their second consecutive 1-0 win from the penalty spot.

Smarting after he was gazumped by former mentor Jose Mourinho in the chase for another box-office Brazilian, Willian, AVB wants to sign two more forwards before the transfer window shuts on September 2.

A £26 million deal is in place to sign forward Erik Lamela who missed Roma’s Serie A match with Livorno last night to travel to London.

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And it looks as though the Lamela move could be finalized shortly, as Tancredi Palmeri of CNN notes the club is already meeting with his agent. 

Both players could either play as wingers, inverted wingers or more centrally, with Lamela featuring as a No. 10, while Hulk could be used at striker. Both would bring with them pace, creativity and a scoring touch. 

Last season, Lamela was one of the finest players in Serie A, no easy feat. Take a look at his impressive numbers. 

Meanwhile, Hulk never quite found his footing at Zenit Saint Petersburg last year, scoring just four goals in 14 total appearances. A few knocks and unhappiness at the Russian club certainly didn't help, but a healthy and happy Hulk is a force to be reckoned with. 

Remember, this is a player who scored 48 goals in all competitions for Porto in the two seasons before he signed with Zenit. He's also a regular starter for the Brazilian national team, a squad that never lacks for talent. 

Oh, and if you aren't familiar with his powerful left foot, sit back and enjoy. 

Paired with Chadli, Aaron Lennon and Andros Townsend, Hulk and Lamela would give Spurs a potent mix of wide players. Hulk and Lamela should be able to replicate Bale's goal tally from out wide, if not increase it, making Daniel Levy's busy summer and inevitable sale of Bale much more of a positive than it would have been if the chairman didn't strike early and often on the market. 

For now, the addition of Hulk seems like something of a long shot, as he seems to be linked to a different club at every transfer window. But the addition of Lamela alone would be an excellent buy for Tottenham, in a summer when one question has shaped the future of this club.

Bale who?