Speaking to Area Napoli, Italian transfer journalist Alfredo Pedulla has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur attacking midfielder Erik Lamela 'will leave' north London this summer in all likelihood - with the Argentine and his wife having the same desire to return to Italy.

The 29-year-old was one of the influx of players brought in after Gareth Bale sealed an £85 million move to Real Madrid in 2013 (BBC), and he has gone on to make 255 appearances for the club in all competitions (Transfermarkt).

Tottenham could lose Lamela

In that time, he has bagged 37 goals and 47 assists, but his time at Spurs has often been mixed overall due to reoccurring injury issues.

Now, according to Pedulla, the player 'will leave' Tottenham at the end of the season 'in all likelihood' - with Lamela and his partner already having a destination in mind.

"The Argentine and his wife have the same desire: to return to Italy," expalained Pedulla to Area Napoli.

"Lamela, in all likelihood, at the end of the current football season, will leave Tottenham at the end of trying a new experience.

"Of course the player would be oriented towards joining an important club."

Transfer Tavern take

This news of the attacker's likely exit could spark mixed feelings with Lilywhites supporters considering Lamela is often capable of the extraordinary.

His rabona during the last north London derby is a particular highlight of his ingenuity at times, but his hapless sending off later in that game sums up one of his less desirable aspects (BBC).

Lucas Moura, speaking to football.london recently, labelled Lamela an 'amazing player' and his glimpses of talent certainly back that up. That said, Pedulla believes he won't be in north London for much longer and perhaps it's for the best given his injury record and shows of petulance on the pitch.

In other news: Tottenham make signing enquiry, find out more here.