Rumour: Tottenham Hotspur to offer Erik Lamela for AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli

Mario Balotelli

Tottenham Hotspur have offered their £30 million record signing Erik Lamela as part of a proposed swap deal to bring unsettled AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli to White Hart Lane, according to the Mirror.

The 21-year-old has failed to settle in north London since his move from Roma last summer and reports in Italy suggest that Spurs are willing to cut their losses with the youngster and use him as a make weight to tempt former Manchester City star Balotelli back to the Premier League.

Currently sidelined with a back injury, Lamela has completed a full 90 minutes on just one occasion and made just nine league appearances for the Lilywhites.

Tottenham’s sporting director Franco Baldini, who engineered Lamela’s move, expected more for such a hefty price tag and is now willing to send him back to Serie A to aid the search of a new striker.

Balotelli is reportedly unsettled with life in Milan despite signing for Clarence Seedorf’s side last January and could be on the move in the summer. However, the 23-year-old has been in fine form since his return to Italy and has also been linked with a move to Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal.

If Balotelli did agree to the move, it would surely spell the end at Spurs for another one their summer flops, misfiring forward Roberto Soldado.

Half of Mario Balotelli’s 10 goals for AC Milan in Serie A this season have come from outside the penalty box. Long range specialist.