Transfer news: Tottenham 'accept' £93m-including Fabio Coentrao offer from Real Madrid for Gareth Bale - reports
Italian newspaper Calciomercato are reporting that Roma officials are in London to negotiate Spurs' move for Erik Lamela due to agreement over the Bale deal
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Your support makes all the difference.Reports in Italy claim that the deal to take Willian from Anzhi to Tottenham is down to the acceptance of a world-record offer from Real Madrid for Gareth Bale.
Calciomercato is reporting that Spurs have accepted a £93m offer including left-back Fabio Coentrao, which would smash the current transfer record set when the same Spanish club purchased Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United in 2009 for £80m.
The Italian newspaper also claims that Roma’s sporting director Walter Sabatini is in London for talks with Spurs officials over the transfer of 21-year-old striker Erik Lamela, with manager Andre Villas-Boas able to pursue the Argentinian after a deal was reached with Real for Bale.
Negotiations over the transfer of Bale have stalled in recent weeks, with speculation linking the Welshman with a move to Spain throughout the summer. Spanish newspapers Marca and AS have previously reported that a deal had been agreed, with the Italian’s now the latest to report a new fee as accepted.
Neither Spurs, Real Madrid or Bale himself have spoken a word over a deal being agreed – Bale is yet to speak a word on the matter at all – but the deal for Willian, who is in London for a medical with the club, and a potential £30m deal for Lamela would almost confirm that Spurs have agreed to let Bale go.
The north Londoners have already spent nearly £60m on new players, with Roberto Soldado, Nacer Chadli, Paulinho and Etienne Capoue joining in a summer where Spurs have broken their transfer record twice.
Any deal for Willian would break that record for a third time, which stands at the £26m paid to Valencia for Soldado, and a deal for Lamela could further extend that although it is believed talks are at a preliminary stage with the Italian club.
Should Bale leave and both Willian and Lamela complete a move to White Hart Lane, Andre Villas-Boas’ squad would have a far more balanced and threatening look to it, having relied on Bale too often last season as they narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification.
It is widely regarded that Spurs’ business so far this summer has been impressive to say the least, and if Bale’s departure would fund further sales, it is very doubtful that fans would be unhappy with their transfer activity this year.
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