Lucas Moura puts summer exit in Tottenham court, as second forward’s £26m sale nears completion

Lucas Moura stressed he’ll aim to leave Tottenham in 2023 at the latest amid talk of a loan move this summer, while a second forward’s exit is now at an advanced stage, per reports.

The Brazilian, 29, tumbled down the pecking order under Antonio Conte. Son Heung-min and Harry Kane continued to operate at an elite level, leaving just one slot in the forward line up for grabs.

However, January recruit Dejan Kulusevski hit the ground running, leaving Lucas Moura to feed off scraps for much of the final five months.

Moura’s contract reportedly expires in 2023, though according to the player himself, Spurs have an option to extend it by a further 12 months.

Speaking to the Brazilian media (via Sport Witness), Moura outlined his desire to fulfil his terms before being “free” to decide his next move. That comes amid growing hope in his homeland a move back to Sao Paulo could be on the cards.

“The idea is to fulfil the contract,” said Moura. “It has one more year, with the option of one more, on the part of the club.

“So at the end of this season now, if the club wants to extend another year, they have that option.

“But my idea is this. Finalising the contract, playing in the Champions League, we haven’t played the Champions League for two years, and now it could be, perhaps, my last Champions League there at Tottenham.

“So then the idea is to stay there, fulfil the contract, then be free, then decide where I’m going.”

Could Lucas Moura leave on loan?

When asked about potentially moving to Sao Paulo on loan, Moura indicated he’d be on board with the idea. However, he admitted the ball is firmly in Tottenham’s court in that regard and stated why that move would make little sense for the club.

The winger added: “Man, that would be a very big possibility. Very strong.

“But I find it difficult, I find the loan issue difficult, because, as I said, in a year I will be free. So it wouldn’t make sense for them to loan me so I could go free, you know?

“Knowing also that they can count on me in a Champions League year. I don’t know. So it will depend on Tottenham.

“Now it’s much more up to Tottenham than to me. But I find the possibility of a loan difficult.”

Second forward’s exit imminent

While Moura looks on course to leave Spurs in the next 12 months, Steven Bergwijn’s exit could be rather more immediate.

The Dutchman – signed for £26.7m in January, 2020 – is being lined up as Ajax’s marquee signing of the summer.

Tottenham are keen to recoup the full transfer fee they paid PSV Eindhoven, something that is proving difficult for Ajax to match.

However, Football Insider claim talks are now at an ‘advanced’ stage and a breakthrough is seemingly close. There is said to be confidence among all parties concerned that a deal will soon be concluded.

Spurs revolution in full swing

Tottenham have quickly got their affairs in order this summer with three new faces already signed.

Fraser Forster will back up Hugo Lloris after replacing Pierluigi Gollini. Ivan Perisic will make the left wing-back role his own, while Yves Bissouma’s arrival adds yet more steel and bite to Conte’s aggressive midfield.

That comes on the back of a hugely successful January window in which Rodrigo Bentancur and Kulusevski arrived.

A move for Middlesbrough’s Djed Spence is another priority. Spurs supremo Daniel Levy has reportedly personally intervened to help that transfer cross the line.

For the first time since the early Mauricio Pochettino days, Spurs are finally on the right track under a manager they’re clearly prepared to back.