Erik Lamela is being tipped to become the new Lionel Messi (Picture: Getty)

Tottenham legend Ossie Ardiles says Erik Lamela is the new Lionel Messi and is already a better player than the departed Gareth Bale.

Lamela was brought to White Hart Lane for a club-record free over the summer, with Andre Villas-Boas earmarking the Argentine as a star of the future.

But according to compatriot Ardiles, Lamela can be as good as Barcelona superstar Messi, and is already a better option for Spurs than Bale.

‘Lamela needs a little more time to bed into Tottenham but he will prove to be a great purchase,’ explained Ardiles.


‘He is not as powerful but he is more skilled than Bale.



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Ossie Ardiles is a huge fan of Lamela’s abilities (Picture: Getty)

‘He has been nicknamed the ‘new Messi’ and that’s right – it’s a sign of how talented he is.’

Lamela was part of a mass spending spree conducted by Tottenham in the transfer window, with £100million being spent on new talent.

And for Ardiles, Spurs’ business will stand them in good stead for the future, despite the departure of Bale to Real Madrid.

‘We need players who can create but also finish over the summer,’ he added.

‘Spurs did that and we had a fantastic transfer window with players for the future.’