Tottenham Eye Shock Move for Manchester United Target - Report

Tottenham Hotspur are considering a shock move to sign AS Roma midfielder Erik Lamela in the summer, according to the Telegraph. The Argentinean international is linked with a move to the Premier League champions Manchester United while their local rivals Manchester City are also keen on his landing him in the summer.

The report claims the north London club are closing in on appointing Franco Baldini as their new director of football. The Italian, who is an admirer of the 21-year-old, was holding the same post with Roma and is now believed to persuade Lamela to make a switch to White Hart Lane in the summer.

The attacking midfielder has been in brilliant form for the Italian side, scoring 15 goals and managing five assists in 33 Serie A appearances last season. The Argentine can either play in the middle or out on the wider positions. His versatile style of play along with his impressive form for Roma has attracted top clubs from England.

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas is keen on landing Lamela in the summer. The former Chelsea boss has set his eyes on strengthening the squad for the new season as the north Londoners will look to challenge for honours next season.

Lamela's current deal with Roma runs down in 2016 and the Argentine's agent Pablo Sabbag had earlier revealed that there has been no talk over the midfielder's contract extension with the Italian capital club.

Meanwhile, any move from Tottenham to land Lamela in the summer will not be an easy task. The attacking midfielder has expressed his desire to continue his services with his current employers, despite recent reports linking him with a move to England.

"I'm absolutely staying. I'm more determined to remain in Rome. With the relationship I have with the people, I feel at home. It is not easy to achieve great things with so many youngsters in the group. I believe this team is better than the table suggests," Goal.com quoted Lamela as saying.

Should Tottenham fail to land Lamela, AVB can their turn his attention on bringing Atletico Mineiro midfielder Bernard to White Hart Lane in the summer.