Italian Clubs Want a Pair of Tottenham Players

Tottenham Hotspur have two players that Inter Milan and Roma are interested in signing this summer, Érik Lamela and Christian Eriksen.

Inter Milan and Roma are both eyeing two of Tottenham’s key starters to try and bolster their squad. It’s unfortunate for both Italian clubs, that Spurs have no interest in selling either Érik Lamela and Christian Eriksen.

For Érik Lamela, this has been a never-ending saga of Inter Milan chasing the Argentine winger to bring the 24-year-old back to Italy. It’s been one year since Inter have shown interest in Lamela due to the right winger’s up and down second season with Tottenham during the 2014-15 campaign and now they’re back at it, per a report from the Daily Express.

According to the Daily Express (via Gazzetta dello Sport) the Italian newspaper has claimed that Inter vice-president, Javier Zanetti, is actually in the United States to scout Érik Lamela during Argentina and USA’s semi-final match in the Copa América Centenario.

The Daily Express’ Joe Short had this to say:

"“And Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport claim Inter are eyeing a bid,” Short wrote on the Daily Express.“According to the report, Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti is in the USA specifically to watch Lamela play.”“Zanetti will be in Houston for Argentina’s semi-final with hosts USA later today.”"

Because the Argentinian has blossomed into a key member on Mauricio Pochettino’s squad after scoring 11 goals and registering 10 assists in 44 appearances throughout all competitions this past term, there’s absolutely no reason to sell the right winger.

Through three years with Tottenham, Lamela has been steadily progressing.

And while Spurs may never get the Érik Lamela of old, during his days with Roma when they paid nearly up to £30 million with bonuses included three years ago, Tottenham so far are pleased to have a starting right winger that fits Pochettino’s mold of an attacking player who will relentlessly chase after the opposition to win the ball back.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 14: Christian Eriksen (L) of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium on February 14, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /

As for Christian Eriksen, this isn’t the first time that the Danish international has been linked with a move away from White Hart Lane. Although just like Érik Lamela, he too, won’t be sold by Tottenham.

The main reason why Eriksen is being linked to Roma, according to the Daily Express, is because Juventus triggered Miralem Pjanic’s release clause of £24.5 million (€32 million).

With the 26-year-old now joining the Bianconeri, it’s quite obvious that Roma are in need of attacking help with the Bosnia-Herzegovina international now gone and a replacement high on both Luciano Spalletti (Roma’s manager) and Walter Sabatini’s (Roma’s Director of Football) wishlist.

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Another reason why I Giallorossi is looking at Christian Eriksen, is because of Tottenham’s interest in Antonio Sanabaria, who spent last season on loan with Sporting Gijon.

Here’s the Daily Express’ James Cambridge on why Roma believes a transfer for Christian Eriksen is possible — even though it really isn’t.

Quote has been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.

"“Italian website CalcioMercatoWeb reports that Roma’s boss, Luciano Spalletti, is keen on having the Denmark international at the Stadio Olimpico next season.”“And Roma director of football, Walter Sabatini, will reportedly broker the deal with Tottenham during ongoing negotiations for striker Antonio Sanabria.”“Sanabria has been on loan from Roma with Spanish side Sporting Gijon and CalcioMercatoWeb notes that Spurs are close to signing the 20-year-old.”“This gives Roma some leverage in talks for Eriksen and could bring Tottenham to the negotiating table.”"

Again, let’s discuss why Christian Eriksen isn’t going to leave Tottenham this summer or in future seasons. At the moment the Dane is under contract with Spurs until June 2018, giving him two full years before he agrees to a contract extension, something that the Lilywhites are currently working on.

When you add in the fact that he has been a crucial member for Tottenham since his arrival (along with Érik Lamela) in 2013, Eriksen’s position on the team isn’t in doubt. Whether he starts again as Mauricio Pochettino’s designated central attacking midfielder is another debate entirely, but Spurs aren’t desperate enough to sign Antonio Sanabria while giving up on Christian Eriksen in the process.

Speaking of Sanabria, he will wait until Copa América is finished when speaking with Sport 11 days ago after the tournament had recently started. His future isn’t decided yet which will hamper Roma’s talks with Tottenham.

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Therefore the ones who have the upper hand in both of these transfer negotiations is Tottenham and not Inter Milan for Érik Lamela and Roma for Christian Eriksen.

Inter have been eyeing Lamela for close to two years now, and it will continue for another year as Spurs have no need to sell him. Not with the Argentine international getting better with each year.

Roma’s interest in Eriksen will remain just that, watching from afar, because signing a 20-year-old striker will make Tottenham worse when they lose a creative playmaker for what could very well be a second or third choice center-forward. No matter how much potential Antonio Sanabria has.