Erik Lamela
Lamela remains linked with a move to Serie A.

The agent of Tottenham forward Erik Lamela has travelled to Italy to hold talks with Inter Milan to discuss a potential loan move to the club, reports in Italy suggest.

The club's record signing has struggled to settle in north London following his summer move from Roma having made just nine appearances for the club, only one of which has come under new head coach Tim Sherwood.

Following Andre Villas-Boas' dismissal last month, reports of move back to Italy for the 21-year-old have ramped up and Gazzetto dello Sport suggest Lamela's representative has travelled to Rome to discuss his client's future and the possibility of a temporary switch with Inter officials.

But despite growing interest from Italy, it is unlikely Tottenham will sanction a move at this stage of the season.

After the club spent in the excess of £100m during the summer transfer window, Sherwood is unlikely to be afforded the same financial backing as his predecessor. Given the restrictions he will face in altering his squad, the Spurs boss is likely to want to retain all of his attacking options for the second half of the season as the club bid to re-enter the fray for a Champions League position.

In a bid to improve on a season which sees them lie 18 points off Serie A leaders Juventus, Inter have also been linked with an ambitious move for Chelsea's Juan Mata. Despite winning the club's Player of the Season award in the past two campaigns, the Spaniard has struggled to win over Jose Mourinho, who admitted last week that a January exit for the midfielder was a possibility.

Although Manchester United remain keen on the former Valencia star, the Blues are unlikely to want to do business with a Premier League rival, particularly after David Moyes' refusal to do business with the club in the summer during Wayne Rooney's protracted transfer saga.

Although Inter are faced with their own financial limitations, Gazzetta also suggest the Serie A giants are also hopeful of securing a loan deal for Mata until the end of the season. Paris Saint Germain are also in the running for the 25-year-old but a move to Italy could present him with greater first team opportunities.