Sao Paulo director Carlos Belmonte has revealed the club will continue to hold an interest in signing Lucas Moura but admits a move hinges on Tottenham’s decision to extend his contract.
The Brazilian forward, 29, has emerged as a bit-part player under Antonio Conte and has often had trouble breaking into a forward line containing Harry Kane, Heung-min Son, and Dejan Kulusevski.
In particular, the Sweden international’s impressive displays since joining Spurs in January have limited Moura’s chances of game time.
Moura recently informed Globo Esporte of his desire to return to former club Sao Paulo in the near future, although he accepted a move would be difficult with his transfer fee and wages expected to be a stumbling block.
And with Moura sending a message to his old employers, who he left to join Paris Saint-Germain in 2012, club director Belmonte admits a move depends on Tottenham’s intention to keep the 29-year-old beyond his contract, which expires in 2024 (Transfermarkt).
Belmonte told journalists Eduardo Tironi and Arnaldo Ribeiro (via YouTube): “There’s a decision by the board. At each window, we will consult Lucas Moura.
“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.
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“If, by December, Tottenham decide that he will not renew for another year, his contract will expire in the middle of 2023.”
Moura joined Spurs in January 2020 in a deal worth around £23 million (BBC Sport) after falling down the pecking order at PSG.
Struggling to find consistency with 38 goals in more than 200 appearances (Transfermarkt), the forward will still be held in high regard in Spurs folklore with his hat-trick against Ajax in 2019 that sent the club to its first ever Champions League final.
Spurs Web Opinion
It remains to be seen whether Spurs will sign Moura beyond the end of his contract next summer as he has not really shown too much in the last couple of seasons to warrant an extension.
He has had some good moments, with the Champions League semi-final being the obvious one, but he just doesn’t have the consistency the club really needs going forward.
It does seem inevitable that he will return to Sao Paulo at some point in his career, but it may even happen next year if there aren’t any suitors in Europe.
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