Erik Lamela’s move to Marseille fell through because Tottenham could not sign Saido Berahino, the french club has claimed.
Mauricio Pochettino had a series of bids rejected for Berahino on a controversial transfer deadline day, which saw the West Brom attacker threaten a strike if he did not get a switch.
And that, in turn, meant Lamela could not move to the French club on loan, after Pochettino felt he would be too sparse of bodies in attacking positions.
Speaking to Le Parisien, Marseille president Vincent Lambrune told of the events that led to the Argentinian remaining in North London.
“We got the agreement of the player, his agent, and the club at about 11pm (on August 31),” he said.
“Tottenham – when they weren’t about to get a replacement – put an end to negotiations.”
However, it is reported that Lamela was not Marseille’s first-choice target, after attempts to sign Marcus Berg and Wissam Ben Yedder came to nothing, and so it remains unlikely that they will come back in January to resurrect the move.
Lamela has featured in all three game this season, starting one, but has failed to impress in any outing.
