After earlier reporting from NBC Sports Insider Neil Ashton saying Gareth Bale’s transfer to Real Madrid is imminent (Sky Sports’ Guillem Balague, The Guardian’s Sid Lowe, Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl have confirmed the report), Daniel Levy’s replacement pieces are starting to come together. Willian’s expensive move from Anzhi Makhachkala is practically done, with the Brazilian attacker having undergone a physical in London today.
But Willian’s far from the only piece Spurs are likely to bring in with their $120 million booty. Fabio Coentrao could possibly be included in the deal — the Portuguese international potentially becoming André Villas-Boas’s new left back — while on the other flank, the long-rumored move of Erik Lamela could finally happen.
Earlier today, reports from the U.K. rekindled the Lamela-to-Spurs connection, but after news of Bale’s probable news broke, the 21-year-old Argentine’s potential transfer was also considered probable. Lamela’s brother was even spotted on Twitter telling friends his brother “more than surely is going to England.”
Coming off a breakout season for Roma (15 league goals), the River Plate product would compete with Aaron Lennon for the right winger’s spot in Villas Boas’s starting XI. Garnering a transfer fee of just under $47 million, Lamela should be round out an attacking three that also features Roberto Soldado and Willian, provided he makes a smooth adjustment to his new club.
Lamela would be the second major loss for Roma within a week, with Pablo Osvaldo having already moved to Southampton. And Miralem Pjanic’s name has also been floating around the papers, though will Lamela’s salary off the books, the talented Bosnian will likely stay under Rudi Garcia’s watch.
Beyond losing the salary commitment, Roma would see a huge boon from a Lamela sale. As a 19-year-old, the Argentine attacker was purchased from River Plate for $16 million, with an additional $2-$3 million in potential bonuses. If Lamela’s current reported price is true, Roma stands to make around $30 million less salary paid for their two-year investment in the potential Spur.
Depending on how much money comes with Coentrao (or, if Coentrao goes to Tottenham at all), Spurs’ Bale money may be gone after their Willian and Lamela purchases. Together, they’ll got Tottenham $77 million, and while Bale’s valuation is said to be anywhere from $120 to $134 million, a big chunk of that might be Coentrao. The Étienne Capoué could have also been made with the Bale money in mind.
In all likelihood, though, Spurs could have another major purchase in them. At least they have the flexibility to go out and add another defender, if they’re so inclined. But with Willian, Lamela, and Coentrao potentially coming in, Villas-Boas’s could have a surprisingly enviable squad, considering he’ll have just lost his best player.
There may yet be life after Bale.
