Tottenham Hotspur benchwarmer Lucas Moura is a target for Premier League, Serie A, MLS and Middle Eastern clubs ahead of the January transfer window, according to Brazilian publication Lance.
It may feel as if former Paris Saint-Germain speedster has been around since the days of the dinosaurs but he actually only turned 30 in August.
And, while Lucas is making no secret of his desire to pull on Sao Paulo’s three-tone kit again at some point in the near future, he is also in no rush to bid farewell to European football.
“I’ve always said that I want to go back to Sao Paulo,” says Lucas.
“It’s the club I love. But I never set a deadline. I said that I wanted to spend at least 10 years in Europe; playing at a high level, come rain or shine. Now let’s see what happens, what (offers) appear.”
Lucas Moura has offers as winger prepares for Tottenham Hotspur exit
Those offers, it seems, are rolling in from all corners of the globe.
According to Lance, Lucas has ‘received surveys’ from English, Italian, North American and Middle Eastern clubs. The identity of those interested suitors remains a mystery. Lucas has, however, been linked with Aston Villa and Newcastle United of late, with his Spurs contract expiring at the end of the current campaign.
Lance believe that a January departure, as things stand, remains unlikely. Lucas is expected to see out his contract before leaving Tottenham on a free in six months’ time.
The 35-time Brazil international will also have to take a sizeable pay cut if he’s to go back to where it all began, and re-join Sao Paulo after ten years away from the Morumbi. Lucas reportedly earns £90,000-a-week in North London (Spotrac).
“He has the will (to come back). But it’s hard, right? He has a contract and earns very well,” explains Sao Paulo chief Muricy Ramalho. “The doors are open for him. In addition to being a great player, he is very fond of the club.”
Lucas, who won the 2012 Copa Sudamerica with Sao Paulo, was spotted visitng the Morumbi stadium in June. Much to the delight of a feverish home crowd.
“He was very well received. He went to Cotia (Sao Paulo’s iconic academy) and gave a lecture to the boys,” Ramalho adds.
“But we have to be realistic. We cannot to pay what he earns there (at Tottenham). He would have to give up a lot to come here. We don’t hide this from anyone. Otherwise, we would be fooling the fans.”
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