Tottenham Hotspur remain interested in Mikkel Damsgaard…
What’s the word?
According to SampNews24, the North London outfit are preparing to launch a bid for the Sampdoria winger this summer, with him having been a target for several months.
It had previously been thought that the 20-year-old gem has been recommended to the Spurs hierarchy by former manager Jose Mourinho and star midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who has played with him on the international stage.
Should Spurs sign Damsgaard?
YES!
NO!
Now, following the arrival of ex-Juventus director Fabio Paratici, the Premier League side look set to revisit their interest in Damsgaard.
Sampdoria do not want to sell the Danish youngster but they could, according to the report, be tempted by an offer in excess of €20m (£18m), with Italian rivals Inter Milan and Juventus also keen.
Bye-bye Lamela
If Paratici launches a bid for Damsgaard, then you’d imagine it would almost certainly spell the end for Erik Lamela and his eight-year stint in N17.
The Argentine winger has been blighted by injuries throughout his time at Spurs. He has put on the Lilywhites shirt 257 times, averaging only 32 appearances per season, which is quite low when considering they have regularly been competing in Europe throughout that time.
In fact, as of April, he had missed a whopping 135 matches through injury, according to football.london.
Lamela has attracted plenty of interest from Italy in the last few months, ranging from Bologna to Napoli, so he may not be short of suitors. And by signing the 20-year-old, he can finally be moved on after several disappointing seasons.
Damsgaard has been tipped for huge things in the future by those around him, including former Leicester City title winner Claudio Raineiri, who dubbed him a “child prodigy” in one interview, and claimed he would have a “big future” in another.
The young winger has been one of Sampdoria’s standout performers, especially in terms of excitement and work rate.
As per WhoScored, the Denmark international attempted a whopping 4.6 tackles per 90 minutes at a success rate of 45.6%, as well as topping the dribbling charts, with 4.4 attempts per 90.
Only one other La Samp star managed more than his four assists, too.
TV2’s football expert Martin Mikkelsen waxed lyrical about his qualities during commentary back in January this year, he said: “He’s magical – what speed!” before adding: “He is dynamic and can go both ways. He is creative but also so mature in his decisions.”
Given Lamela’s injury problems and age, 29, it would make sense for Paratici to move him on this summer and in the £26m-rated Damsgaard, Spurs could get an ideal long-term replacement.
AND in other news, Levy was dealt yet another gutting manager blow before Fonseca move…