Ex-player ‘not surprised’ that Spurs star is not in Conte’s plans for next season 

Former Tottenham right-back Stephen Kelly has admitted that he is not surprised by the north London club’s decision not to activate the option to extend Lucas Moura’s contract.

The Telegraph reported on Wednesday that Tottenham had to take up the option to extend Moura’s deal by a further 12 months by the end of 2022. However, Antonio Conte’s men had decided against doing so, which means that the Brazilian would leave as a free agent when his contract runs out at the end of the current season.

The same information was also reported by The Atheltic on Thursday, with the publication adding that the winger has no desire to leave during the current transfer window and would rather depart in the summer.

The report also played down the chances of Moura re-joining Sao Paulo by explaining that returning to Brazil is not a priority for the 30-year-old.

Kelly has said that the writing was on the wall for Moura, given his injury problems and the fact that he has fallen down Conte’s pecking order.

When asked about Tottenham’s decision not to activate the option to extend the former PSG man’s contract, the Irishman told The Transfer Show on Sky Sports News (11/01/23): “I am not surprised with the way things have gone this season. He has been injured quite a lot and he has missed quite a lot of games.

“I think he’s been surplus to requirements lately because of Kulusevski and Richarlison when he gets back fit. Those players have kind of taken his mantle.

“Listen, he is going to be remembered for some momentous occasions, the hat trick against Ajax. There were times throughout his career when he stepped up when Son and Kane had dropped off form. He scored a lot of goals in short spaces.

“But, at the time now, with his injuries and him getting over the age of 30, I know it’s not much in football these days, but I think the likes of Richarlison and Kulusevski are the ones taking his place.”

Lucas Moura
Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images

Spurs Web Opinion

All of us expected this to be Moura’s final season at Tottenham but I am surprised that the club have not taken up the option to extend his contract, thereby foregoing a potential transfer fee.

It would be a shame if the Brazilian’s Spurs career finishes with a whimper. So, I am hoping that he puts his injury troubles behind him and produces one or two memorable displays over the coming months.

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