Tottenham Hotspur intend to extend Erik Lamela's contract to 2020 by triggering a clause in his deal, according to The Independent.

What's the story?

When a footballer spends more than a year on the treatment table with injury, it is easy to assume that they will struggle to regain past form.

Lamela had numerous operations and went through various rehab programmes after suffering problems in both hips.

In November, the Argentine made his comeback in a 13-minute cameo during Spurs' 2-1 loss to Leicester City in the Premier League.

Since then, manager Mauricio Pochettino has played Lamela in 27 games in all competitions, in which the winger has scored twice and created two assists.

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The Independent reports that Tottenham plan to activate a clause that will extend Lamela's contract for a year, which means that he will be tied down to the club until 2020.

Will he become a first-team regular?

At the moment, the 26-year-old has had to settle for a bit-part role given that he has played a full 90 minutes just three times, all of which were in the FA Cup.

It is understandable that Pochettino wants to ease him in due to the fact that the winger was on the sidelines for more than a year.

However, the former Roma player also has to fight for his position, particularly when Son Heung-min and Christian Eriksen are jostling for the same place.

Lamela has the advantage of being able to play on either side of the pitch, but he is strongest when deployed on the right side of attack.

Whether he becomes a regular starter under Pochettino remains to be seen, but the attack-minded star is certainly a favourite among fans.

Do other clubs want him?

The Independent claims that numerous clubs have been keeping tabs on the 23-capped international.

Outfits in Spain, France, Italy and Portugal are believed to be circling, which could be a big reason why Tottenham are deciding to act on his contract situation.

There have not been any suggestions that Lamela wants to call time on his career at Spurs, but questions may be asked regarding first-team minutes.

Eventually, if the Argentine, who Transfermarkt value at £22.5million, is spending more time on the bench than on the pitch, he may consider transfer options.

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