Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino revealed at the start of January that Lamela had requested a change of scenery and that he had given the green light for the Argentina international to go to the Italian capital to work on his fitness and his mental state.
Shattering Tottenham blow as £70,000-a-week ace wants to quit – reports
By Harry Sykes
Erik Lamela wants to quit Tottenham and return to former club Roma in the summer, according to a report.
Football site Squawka claim the Spurs attacking midfielder is “homesick” and “unsettled in London” and pining for a move back to the Serie A club.
It is said that Lamela is increasingly expected to leave Tottenham in the next transfer window and that Roma would be keen to re-sign the 24-year-old.
White hart Lane chiefs will hold out for the £30million fee they spent on Lamela in 2013 when he became their club-record signing.
The Evening Standard claim that Lamela is one of Spurs’ highest earners on a deal worth around £70,000-a-week.
Lamela has been based at Roma’s training headquarters for the last few weeks as he works with their medical team on his recovery from a hip injury that has kept him out of action since October.
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Lamela underwent a scan on his hip in Rome last Friday that revealed no major problems and he remains in Italy working on his fitness with no date yet set for his return.
The report about the player’s desire to quit north London comes just 24 hours after the Telegraph claimed Lamela’s rehabilitation from injury has been derailed by his devastation at the death of his pet dog Simba.
Spurs have coped well in Lamela’s absence, with six wins and a draw from their last seven league matches putting them in a position where they can challenge for the title.
But the potential loss of the Argentine would be a shattering blow as he is still considered a crucial member of the squad and was a mainstay of the team in the 18 months before his injury.
In total, Lamela has made 14 appearances this season and was used on the right side of an attacking midfield trio in the formation favoured by Mauricio Pochettio in the opening two months of the campaign.
The 22-times Argentina international responded with two goals and an impressive seven assists, including a brilliant headed equaliser in the opening-day draw against Everton.
In total, Lamela has scored 19 goals and supplied 31 assists in 121 matches during three-and-a-half years at the club.
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