Speaking on The Last Word on Spurs podcast, journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Erik Lamela is adamant that he doesn't want to leave Tottenham.

What's the word?

The Argentina international played 35 times across all competitions, scoring just two goals and providing three assists in the Premier League.

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A hamstring injury kept him out of action for the best part of a couple of months mid-way through the season, whilst he completed the full 90 minutes just once after the Premier League's restart back in June.

Now, Romano claims that Lamela is intent on staying in north London and is convinced he can perform at a high level next season.

Daniel Levy must be ruthles

Earning a reported £80k-per-week, Lamela remains one of Spurs' highest-earners, but the truth is that he has shown little to justify the north Londoners paying that much money for him.

His struggles with injuries are well-known, and it was quite telling that even when fit, Jose Mourinho hardly started him, let alone allowing him to play the full 90 minutes.

In fact, Lamela did not score a single Premier League goal after netting almost 12 months ago when he notched in a 4-0 win over Crystal Palace. With Steven Bergwijn signed up in the January transfer window, Spurs have yet another option to play out wide, and it's an area in which they are well covered.

Getting rid of Lamela this summer would free him from the wage books, and potentially give them extra money to splash out on positions that actually need prioritising. Levy must be ruthless with the Argentine for the greater good of the team, and if that means showing the exit door to someone who has been a virtual passenger for them, then so be it.