Spurs line up £60m replacements as Bale edges closer to Real deal
TOTTENHAM are closing in on a £60m double swoop for forwards Willian and Erik Lamela, paving the way for their Player of the Year Gareth Bale to complete a £93m move to Real Madrid.
Bale has been the subject of continued interest from the Spanish giants and with Spurs poised to sign tailor-made replacements it would free the Welshman to move, in a deal that would take Real left-back Fabio Coentrao to White Hart Lane.
Real manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed at the weekend that Coentrao “has asked to leave” and Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas expressed his desire to reinforce his defence following Sunday’s win over Crystal Palace.
Willian, 25, arrived in London yesterday to undergo a medical ahead of his proposed move from big-spending Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, while Spurs technical director Franco Baldini is due to meet with representatives of Lamela, 21, and his club Roma in London this week.
TOTTENHAM TARGETS
Willian – Anzhi Makhachkala
■ Style: Playmaker, right-footed
■ Club career: 274 games, 40 goals
■ International record: 2 caps, 0 goals
Erik Lamela – Roma
■ Style: Pacey winger, left-footed
■ Club career: 102 games, 25 goals
■ International record: 3 caps, 0 goals