Tottenham paid a club record fee of £30 million near the end of the summer 2013 transfer window for the 21 year old Erik Lamela, signing him from AS Roma to bolster Tottenham's attacking options in the wake of Gareth Bale leaving the club.
Starting his football career with his local side River Plate in Argentina, he quickly earned a reputation as skilful player on the ball, who could play in any position across the front line or midfield. Erik began training with the club as a 7 year old and Barcelona offered him and his family a new life in Spain if he signed for them, but he chose to stay and learn his craft in his homeland in River Plate's academy. His time at River Plate saw him develop as a player with an ability to go past opponents, with a dribble or a trick, but his finishing when he reached the opponent's box marked him out as a more rounded attacking player. The national team manager picked up on his form and handed him an international debut at the end of that season and he has gone on to win three caps for his country, after scoring all Argentina's three goals at the Under-20 World Cup in 2011.
Having made his debut in 2009, it was his performances in 2010-11, a season when River Plate were relegated (a complex procedure involving the club's finishes over the previous three seasons), that caught the eye of AS Roma and the club took him to the Italian capital for a fee of €14 million.
In two seasons at Roma, his direct running at players saw him become a dangerous playmaker, scoring 19 goals and making 9 assists. in 2012-13, Erik scored 15 goals in total and ende dup as the joint fifth highest scorer in Serie A, while he helped AS Roma to the Coppa Italia final, losing out to city rivals Lazio in the final. With an ability to cut inside from the wing, Lamela became a threat as he fired shots on goal, but he also showed bravery in heading goals from among the flying boots in the goalmouth. A player who earned the tag as one of the most talented in the world, it was quite a coup for Tottenham to secure his services as Andre Villas-Boas went about re-shaping the Spurs side to make a challenge at the top of the Premier League table.
Having had time to rest over the summer, after missing out on the Argentina squad for the World Cup finals, he starred in pre-season and looked fit and confident for the start of the 2014-15 season, which became a season where he began to establish himself as a Spurs player, playing more of a part in the side and contributing with assists and goals. He stunned the crowd with a "Rabona" goal against Asteras Tripolis in the Europa League and the fans took to him when they saw the amount of work he does when not in possession. The following season, he really gelled, with good performances at home and away, as Pochettino inspired him to play with confidence and he finally looked more settled in England.