Aston Villa or Newcastle can sign £23m ace for free as club confirm exit

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Tottenham Hotspur have officially confirmed Lucas Moura’s departure as Premier League rivals Aston Villa and Newcastle United reportedly weigh up summer moves for the Brazilian free-agent. 

Around a year ago, the smart money may have been on the former Paris Saint-Germain winger re-joining Sao Paulo when his contract in North London expired. 

Especially after Lucas Moura, who visited Sao Paulo during the summer of 2022, talked up his desire to come full circle, having begun his career with the Tricolor two decades ago. 

Now, however, Lucas’ ambitions appear to have changed. 

At the age of just 30, a player who joined Spurs for a cool £23 million still has plenty of juice left in the tank; his agent admitting that talks are now being held with a number of clubs this side of The Atlantic instead. 

Lucas still dreams of returning to Sao Paulo some day. But today, to paraphrase Aragorn’s Black Gate speech, is not that today. 

Could Lucas Moura join Aston Villa or Newcastle after leaving Tottenham?

According to Fabrizio Romano, Aston Villa and Newcastle United failed in attempts to bring in Lucas on the final day of the summer window last year. Both clubs remain interested, and Tottenham will be in no position to block any move this time around with Lucas’ £80,000-a-week contract ending imminently (Torcedores). 

“My Spurs. Wherever I am, my heart will always be here. You are my club,” Lucas – who will forever be remembered that that Champions League semi-final hat-trick against Ajax – said during his emotional farewell.

“It has been the greatest honour to defend this badge. Every flick, every tackle, every leap, every goal. From the highest highs, to the lowest lows, from the beginning to the end, you sung my name. This has been my honour.

“This has been my dream. This will always be my home. Some nights I will never forget. Written in history together. I will always love you. No matter where I go, we will meet again.”

Lucas has not started a single Premier League game this term, largely due to injury. If he can prove his fitness, however, the versatile forward could still bring vital experience and depth to an Aston Villa or Newcastle side who’s squad will be stretched thin by European commitments in 2023/24.