Lucas Moura believes it is ‘very likely’ he will return to Sao Paulo when his contract at Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur comes to an end, speaking to Esporta na Band’s YouTube channel.
Just last week, the former Paris Saint-Germain forward admitted that securing a return to the Morumbi would be easier said than done.
“I don’t like to create expectations where there are none,” Lucas said. “It’s a difficult issue to resolve.”
Just a few days later, when asked once again about the possibility of his career going ‘full circle’, Lucas was far more positive. In fact, the long-serving Brazilian upgraded the chances of a Sao Paulo return from ‘a possibility’ to ‘very likely’.
Is Lucas Moura entering his final season at Tottenham Hotspur?
“It is possible. Very likely, very likely,” Lucas explains.
“I don’t like to promise anything because we never know. I also don’t want to create false expectations. But it’s very likely.”
As things’ stand, Lucas’ £90,000-a-week contract in North London will expire in just 12 months’ time.
Tottenham have the option to extend his deal by a further year but, after bringing both Dejan Kulusevski and Ivan Perisic to England, the already seldom-seen Lucas is unlikely to be a regular starter under Antonio Conte next term.
“(My contract may end) in a year or two, depending on the renewal of the club,” the 29-year-old adds. “And, when the contract ends and I am free. The possibility of me returning to Sao Paulo is very, very high.
“I always had this dream of returning to the Tricolor . But let’s wait for that time to be able to nail something.”
As Lucas himself said, it’s a dangerous game making bold predictions. But the odds on Lucas re-joining Sao Paulo on a free transfer in July 2023 appear to have shortened dramatically over the last month or so.
“During each window, we will consult Lucas Moura,” says Sao Paulo director Carlos Belmonte.
“He has a contract for one more year. But, before the end of the year, Tottenham have to say whether they will continue with him for another season or not.
“If, by December, Tottenham decide that he will not renew for another year, his contract will expire in the middle of 2023.”
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