Tottenham Confirm Fourth Summer Signing As Lamela Interest Ramps Up

Tottenham Hotspur have secured their fifth signing of the summer in France international Etienne Capoue and are looking to add a sixth in Roma forward Erik Lamela, reports suggest.

Andre Villas-Boas' side announced through their official website on Thursday morning that the club have come to an agreement with Toulouse for the transfer of the midfielder who can also be deployed as a centre half, joining fellow new arrivals Paulinho, Roberto Soldado and Nacer Chadli at White Hart Lane.

But while the club have been busy strengthening their squad, the question as to whether Gareth Bale will be there to play alongside them in the new season remains unanswered.

With no decision yet made regarding the 24-year-old, the club are considering possible replacements.

The Daily Telegraph report the Argentine international Erik Lamela has been lined up to replace the Welshman, or possibly line up beside him should Spurs retain his services.

Tottenham's reported pursuit of the 21-year-old will have been boosted by the presence of Franco Baldini at White Hart Lane. The club's technical director served as Roma's director of football on two separate occasions, the most recent of which being in 2011 before he joined the Spurs staff earlier this year.

Baldini still has ties with the Giallorossi and was involved in the transfer that originally saw Lamela move from River Plate to Roma in the summer of 2011, making his move to Europe for a fee reported to be worth €12m.

After an impressive season where he instilled himself as a key member of a front three alongside Franceso Totti and Pablo Osvaldo, Tottenham would be expected to pay €30m for Lamela's services this summer, which would take the club's summer spending to approximately £85m.

Given the departures of Steven Caulker and Tom Huddlestone with Scott Parker likely to follow them, the capture of Capoue provides Villas-Boas with a powerful midfield presence who can also provide cover for the likes of Michael Dawson and Jan Vertonghen at centre half.

Capoue revealed he would confirm his move to White Hart Lane while representing France on international duty last night.

"There is only some paper work to sign now. I will be at the training ground on Thursday," the 25-year-old said last night after his side's 0-0 draw with Belgium.

"Tottenham is a super club. It's the best club to continue my career. It should be official very quickly."