Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League • England
Shock Tottenham transfer labelled ‘crazy’ as three sources reveal all on out-of-window move
An out-of-window exit for Lucas Moura has been branded “crazy” and “mad” by one source and a “lie” by a second, while a third outlet claim a £1.7m bid is about to be tabled.
Turkish outlet Sabah raised eyebrows earlier this week when claiming a Lucas Moura move to Fenerbahce was ramping up.
The Turkish winter window has been extended until March 5 in lieu of the mass disruption caused by the devastating earthquake that struck the region.
As such, Turkish sides can still sign players from countries whose windows have already closed – such as England.
Sabah’s report was picked up by the Daily Express, HITC and Goal. The gist of their reporting was Lucas was primed to join Fenerbahce after Arnaut Danjuma’s loan arrival relegated him to sixth-choice in the final third.
Lucas will become a free agent at the end of the campaign anyway, meaning the Brazilian veteran will be leaving Spurs at some stage in 2023.
Now, three separate sources have attempted to clarify what’s actually going on with Lucas and Fenerbahce.
What’s ACTUALLY going on with Lucas and Tottenham?
Firstly, the player’s agent, Junior Pedroso, has branded talk of Moura joining Fenerbahce a “lie”.
That’s via Sport Witness, with Moura’s representative going on to categorically state there’s “absolutely nothing” in the story despite Moura hoping to remain in Europe when he eventually leaves Spurs.
Ordinarily, that would be case closed, though not in this instance.
That’s because a different Turkish outlet, Haber Global (via TheBootRoom), reported on Wednesday Fenerbahce are ‘going to bid’ for Lucas.
Fenerbahce reportedly plan to meet with Spurs in the coming days and intend to lodge an offer worth roughly €2m (approx. £1.7m).
That would be a tiny bid all things considered, though given Lucas is off contract in June anyway, Tottenham cannot afford to be picky. That rings especially true given the Turkish transfer window is one of very few currently open.
The final source to weigh in is Football London’s Alasdair Gold.
The Spurs expert was asked what he knew about the saga in a recent Q&A.
Lucas exit “mad”, “crazy” and “daft”
“There doesn’t seem to be any current indication from within the club that he will leave before the summer,” wrote Gold.
“If that did suddenly change, it’s a move that doesn’t really make any sense for Spurs or, financially at least, Lucas.
“To loan out Bryan Gil and then also allow Lucas Moura to leave would be crazy. Antonio Conte has finally got proper squad depth in those attacking positions and to lose one of them for the sake of around three months’ wages would be daft.
“Spurs and injuries just seem to go together so gambling your top four hopes on not having two players for each of the attacking slots would be mad.
“I understand Lucas was open to leaving in the January transfer window but if he stays for the remaining few months he will depart as a free agent in July, which is far more lucrative for him.
“He would also get a proper goodbye from the Tottenham fans after the club declined to take up the option to extend his contract by 12 months before that option ran out in December.”
Gold’s assessment would make the most sense when taking all factors into consideration.
The £1.7m Spurs could potentially receive, along with the saved wages, would pale in importance to the prospect of Lucas aiding their push for top four.
He’s out of favour at present, though all it’ll take is an injury or two before Lucas could once again be called upon to make an impact from the bench.
A free agent exit in the summer – hopefully after he’s helped Tottenham secure UCL qualification – looks the likeliest outcome.