Tottenham Hotspur winger Lucas Moura loves the club and is determined to win a trophy with them before he leaves, according to journalist Tom Barclay.
The Lowdown: Previous approaches
As per reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano, the 30-year-old was the subject of last-minute transfer interest this summer.
On deadline day, both Newcastle and Aston Villa approached Spurs over a possible move for the winger, but the north London decided to keep him with the squad.
The Brazilian is out of contract at the end of the season, but it is believed there is an option for his stay to be extended by a further 12 months.
Reports since the window ended expect him to try and escape that further year and leave in 2023.
The Latest: Not so fast?
Despite rumours that Moura could choose to leave the club at the end of the campaign, Barclay believes the player is an avid supporter of Spurs and that he would love to win some silverware with the club before he eventually departs.
Speaking with GiveMeSport, the journalist claimed:
“I mean, Moura’s an interesting one. I think he’s got a year or two left, but I think he might have an option on his contract. He loves Tottenham.
“We spoke to him in pre-season and he’s desperate to win that trophy like a lot of those Spurs players are who’ve been there for a long time. He’s a great character around the squad. I don’t think he’s one Conte would have been loath to lose, and I don’t think he was pushing for a move either.”
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The Verdict: Moura still useful
Having suffered from a calf injury for half of the current Premier League season, Moura has played just 12 minutes of football so far in 2022/23.
With brief cameos looking like the most likely proposition for the 30-year-old this season, many considered the winger surplus to requirements at Hotspur Way.
However, his underlying stats illustrate how he still has the ability to be a useful asset to Antonio Conte this season.
As per FBRef, compared with positional peers across Europe over the past year, the former Brazil international ranks in the 97th percentile for aerials won, in the 92nd percentile for clearances and in the 91st percentile for assists, offering creativity but also defensive support from the front.
Having earned statistical comparisons to Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise, the Lilywhites should try and convince Moura to stay at the club for another season, as he adds a quality rotation option to Conte’s squad.