Soccer Football - Champions League - Group D - Tottenham Hotspur v Sporting CP - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - October 26, 2022 Tottenham Hotspur's Lucas Moura in action REUTERS/Tony Obrien
Tottenham Hotspur journalist Alasdair Gold has been left baffled by some news he’s heard regarding Lucas Moura.
The Lowdown: Lucas exit talk…
Earlier this week, Turkish news website Sabah reported (via Daily Express) that the Brazilian could leave for Super Lig club Fenerbache ‘immediately‘, with talks seemingly at an advanced stage. This proposed move would also happen before the 30-year-old’s contract expires this summer, as the Turkish transfer window will remain open until March 5.
The report claimed that Lucas could potentially follow the same path as former Spurs star Dele Alli, whose career has been on a major decline since leaving north London.
The Latest: Gold baffled by Lucas news…
Speaking to football.london, however, Gold has poured cold water over the news about Lucas whilst being baffled by its emergence, stating that the mooted move to Istanbul would be ‘crazy’ and senseless.
He explained: “There doesn’t seem to be any current indication from within the club that he will leave before the summer. If that did suddenly change, it’s a move that doesn’t really make any sense for Spurs or, financially at least, Lucas.
“To loan out Bryan Gil and then also allow Lucas Moura to leave would be crazy. Antonio Conte has finally got proper squad depth in those attacking positions and to lose one of them for the sake of around three months’ wages would be daft.”
The Verdict: Always unlikely…
Even if Lucas has had sparse game-time this season, featuring for only 90 minutes across nine substitute appearances in the top flight, it would still be an unwise decision for Spurs to offload him before the summer.
Antonio Conte‘s side are chasing a Premier League top-four finish and remain well in contention after a crucial 2-0 London derby win over West Ham last weekend.
Lucas could still play a role for Spurs depending on developments, especially considering that he averaged more successful take-ons per 90 in the top flight than any other Tottenham player last season (WhoScored).
The club cult hero, who is famed for his Champions League semi-final hat-trick against Ajax in 2019, should surely be allowed to sign off with a flourish if Conte allows him to do so.
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