Just before the start of the January transfer window, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino was asked about the sighting of Erik Lamela in the Italian capital. The Argentine winger has not played for the club since appearing in the EFL Cup loss against Liverpool back in October. Pochettino dismissed the winger’s presence in Rome as a non-starter. However, now it appears that the possibility of Lamela returning to Roma is gathering pace. The 24-year-old was a £30 million signing from the Italian club in the summer of 2013. After struggling in his first season at the club, Lamela was a major factor in pushing Spurs to a third-place finish last season.
His form this season has been very patchy before he got injured. Now, the reports from Squawka has suggested that the winger is homesick and would welcome a return to Italy. Even though he is from Argentina, Lamela spent his first years outside Argentina in the Italian capital, which he considers to be his second home. Roma are thought to be interested in the possibility of bringing the player, although he would cost significantly more than the £30 million, in order to help them in the title race with Juventus.
Roma are sensing vulnerability within Juventus for the first time in more than five years. The two clubs are separated by just one point, although Roma have played one game more than the reigning champions. Still, they would also be able to confirm a place in the Champions League next season sooner rather than later.
Even though Tottenham are any good as a project can be at the moment, it seems that Pochettino has been successful in convincing Lamela to stay at the club. As his hip injury becomes suspicious and the transfer deadline day approaches, Roma are set to make an official offer for the player. In his 30 league appearances for Roma, Lamela came up with 15 goals. It was a major reason behind Spurs paying the club record fee for the player. One of the primary reasons why Roma will be able to convince Tottenham in selling him at around the £30 million figure is the player’s short contract.
Lamela’s existing contract runs out in the summer of 2019. Even amidst the transfer rumours, manager Pochettino confirmed that the player has been making positive recovery from his hip injury. The manager said that the player does not seem like he needs a surgery in order to correct the issue. He said:
“The result was the same so now it’s about how he adapts his programme.
“Now he’ll start to run. It’s positive, now it’s about building his fitness and to try to challenge the pain he feels in his hip, but I think this will be positive.”
If he does indeed require surgery, Lamela could very well be looking at a potential return date of around April. At this moment, his future still remains under a cloud of doubt.
