Bologna director Walter Sabatini stated that they are interested in Erik Lamela. The Tottenham winger has been identified as the top option in case Riccardo Orsolini was sold in the summer. The executive elaborated on it in an interview with local newspaper Il Resto Del Carlino.
“Lamela is one of the names we are evaluating. We are trying to understand whether there is really a chance to get him and that is not a given. Surely, should Orsolini leave, he would be best possible replacement, we will see.”
Sabatini brought Lamela to Europe back in 2011, signing him from River Plate while he was at Roma. The Argentinian attacker then left the Italian Capital for the Spurs two years late. In London, he has been a regular contributor but not a full-time starter over the last few seasons. He has featured in 257 matches, notching 37 goals and 47 assists. He is currently making €4M per year, which could be a steep salary for Bologna.
Orsolini has not had a particularly great campaign, but he has some big-time suitors. Repubblica reports that Milan are interested in the Italian forward, whom they would like to pair with Alexis Saelemaekers on the right flank, moving on from Samu Castillejo.
A year ago, Sabatini slapped a €70M price tag on Orsolini while he was on Juventus’ radar. Milan will try to acquire him for much less since he has not fully lived up to the hype and he now has just a year left on his deal. The Rossoneri are mulling making a €18/20M offer this summer, giving him a sizeable pay bump.