For quite a few weeks now we have all been reading story’s linking AC Milan’s Mario Balotelli with a summer move to Arsenal, and while we could take the initial idea with a pinch of salt the notion actually gained traction following a multi-million pound sponsorship deal with German athletic ware company Puma, the very same company that sponsors Balotelli.
News in this morning’s Daily Express is suggesting that Arsenal north London rivals Tottenham is about to torpedo any Arsenal deal be offering Argentinian striker Erik Lamela in part exchange for the Italian bad boy.
Since joining Spurs last summer from AS Roma for £30 million in an attempt to replace Gareth Bale the young winger has not only failed to settle in England but has not lived up to his initial promise prompting speculation that he wants to return to Italy.
Spurs manager Tim Sherwood when asked about Lamela said: “It is difficult to adapt to a different country, never mind a different league and a different language as well, but when you are suffering up these niggles, (small injuries) and something more than minor at the moment, it is disappointing for the lad.
We signed him for the long-term and we are sure that in the end he will come good for Tottenham and be a crowd favourite here. We are all big fans of him when we see him in training, it is difficult to adjust to a different style of play and a different language, I’m sure Erik will pick it up and by the time he is fit he will be fluent!”
Never mind what Sherwood says it is Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy who calls the shots over at White Hart Lane, and if he thinks he can offload a none performer like Lamela for Balotelli who has already proven himself in England with Manchester City it is a deal he will go for.
The question remaining however is how much AC Milan will value Lamela at, as it is unlikely they will want to pay Spurs the £30 million they laid out for the youngster which opens the door for Arsenal to come in and make a cash offer.
Both Arsenal and Spurs will be looking to get a deal done before the World Cup kicks off in June just in case Balotelli puts in a good performance for Italy and Milan decides to up his selling price.
