Tottenham transfer news: Spurs remain defiant over Christian Eriksen as Juventus consider switching targets to Erik Lamela

Juventus are eager to strengthen their midfield after selling Arturo Vidal to Bayern Munich and look set to raid Spurs before the transfer deadline

Erik Lamela is on Juventus's radar (Getty Images)

Juventus could switch their attention to Tottenham forward Erik Lamela if their bid to sign Christian Eriksen fails.

The Italian champions are eager to bolster their midfield after letting Arturo Vidal join Bayern Munich this summer in a €37m (£26m) deal. Having initially identified Danish international Eriksen as the man to plug the gap, Juventus are reported to be considering their options with Spurs determined to hang on to the 23-year-old.

The Evening Standard reports that despite Eriksen remaining a priority target this summer, Argentinian forward Lamela could emerge as an alternative option. Eriksen is one of Spurs’ key assets along with striker Harry Kane, with only the attacking midfielder and Nacer Chadli the only proven successes from the money spent when Gareth Bale left the club to join Real Madrid.

Eriksen’s agent, Martin Schoots, fuelled speculation that Eriksen could leave the club in the near future when he appeared to hint that “very big clubs” have retained their interest in the Dane.

“Christian is now happy to be at Spurs, but you never know what happens tomorrow,” said Schoots.

“I never speak about specific clubs. But we know that very big clubs have been after Christian since he was 14 years old.”

With that in mind, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is expected to hold out for at least £35m, and despite Juventus generating a hefty fee from the sale of Vidal, they are currently not in a position to meet the valuation having already brought in forwards Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic, Simone Zaza and Roberto Pereyra for a combined £60m as well as midfielder Sami Khedira on a free transfer.

Tottenham are determined to hold on to Christian Eriksen (Getty Images)

Interest in Lamela could therefore lead to a loan move with a view to a permanent deal, with the 23-year-old failing to make an impact at White Hart Lane since completing his club record £30m move from Roma in 2013.

Officials at the north London club would be more open to selling Lamela given his struggle to adapt to life in the Premier League, although the current lack of strikers among Mauricio Pochettino’s squad means he had to replace an injured Harry Kane with Lamela during Saturday’s disappointing 2-2 draw with Stoke City.