Tottenham Dispatch Baldini to Lure Roma Star to Premier League - Report

Tottenham Hotspur have turned to their technical director Franco Baldini to help convince AS Roma forward Erik Lamela to move to White Hart Lane, reports in Italy suggest.

The future of Gareth Bale has been under constant scrutiny this week amid mounting reports that Real Madrid have launched a record breaking transfer bid of £85m for the Wales international.

With a number of sources speculating that the 24-year-old is on board with a move to the Bernabeu, Tottenham could be left with a huge creative and goal scoring void to be filled in their starting XI just three weeks away from the new Premier League season.

But according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the club have identified Argentine international Lamela as someone who can help fill the gap and will test Roma's resolve with a bid of €35m should Bale complete a move to the La Liga giants.

Although Roma themselves are in the process of rebuilding their side after a disappointing sixth place finish in Serie A last season, Gazzetta understands that Tottenham will dispatch Baldini to feel out the possibility of bringing the 21-year-old to north London.

The 52-year-old Italian has served as director of football at the Giallorossi on two separate occasions, his most recent being a spell from 2011 before he was snapped up by Spurs earlier this year.

In the early stages of his role in Rome, Baldini oversaw the club's purchase of Lamela from River Plate for a reported fee of €12m, and Tottenham are hopeful the former England assistant's influence over the youngster's initial move to Europe could have a hand in a prospective move to the Premier League.

After struggling in his debut campaign in Italy, Lamela was one of Roma's stand out performers in a disappointing season that culminated in a Coppa Italia defeat to bitter rivals Lazio.

His 15 goals and five assists in a front three alongside Pablo Osvaldo and Francesco Totti suggest he is likely to have a key role in Roma's plans in the new season, leaving Tottenham with a difficult job of prising the forward away from the Italian capital.