Tottenham cancelled an agreement to let Erik Lamela go to Marseille in the final hours of the transfer window amid doubts over their move for Saido Berahino, the French club’s president has confirmed.
Lamela was expected to depart White Hart Lane after two indifferent seasons at the club, with Marseille agreeing a deal for the 23-year-old as the French side chased attacking additions.
Spurs were also keen to bolster their frontline, and it was their inability to prise Berahino from a fuming West Bromwich Albion that meant the club chose to keep hold of their record signing.
Marseille president Vincent Labrune told Le Parisien: “On August 31, we decided to wait for a better opportunity [to sign a striker] this winter and to concentrate on the ambitious dossier of Erik Lamela.
“We got the agreement of the player, his agent and the club but at 11 p.m. Tottenham -- when they weren't able to get a replacement -- put an end to negotiations.”
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West Brom rejected five bids from Tottenham for Berahino, who has threatened to go on strike after failing to secure a move to Mauricio Pochettino’s side. Spurs’ failure to acquire attacking support for Harry Kane means the Argentine winger is likely to see more minutes if Nacer Chadli or Son Heung-Min are asked to lead the line.
