Tottenham decide against taking up contract option for top star as replacement already being lined up
Tottenham have chosen not to trigger the option on Lucas Moura’s contract for the Brazilian forward to stay at the club beyond this season, with a replacement already known to be in the works.
The 30-year-old winger’s most recent deal is due to run out in 2024. However. it’s understood the final season needed activation from Spurs’ end by December 31 and the club decided against taking up that option.
Lucas is now free to talk to other clubs and sign a pre-contract for next season.
His most famous moment in a Tottenham shirt came during their run to the 2019 Champions League final. The Brazilian, standing in for the injured Harry Kane, notched a semi-final hat-trick at Ajax which sealed a clash with Liverpool which ultimately ended in defeat – while Lucas was also dropped for the returning Kane in that game.
Having figured fairly prominently for Antonio Conte early on in the Italian’s tenure, the arrival of Dejan Kulusevski ended up proving his undoing.
The Swede has been a tremendous success in north London and despite only being on loan, it’s well-known that Tottenham are keen on securing him permanently.
There are not expected to be a shortage of takers for Lucas, with Aston Villa linked during the summer. However, a return to his native Brazil is the most likely outcome.
Spurs are, however, expected to try and bring in a replacement for the former PSG man – either in January or the summer.
Trio linked with Tottenham move
The likes of Leandro Trossard, Wilfried Zaha and Allan Saint-Maximin have all been mooted as potential targets. Barcelona star Ferran Torres, meanwhile, is said to have joined that list, following reports on Wednesday.
The main focus is likely to be on securing Kulusevksi though, with his 18-month loan agreement to end this summer.
Tottenham paid a loan fee of €10million for the Swede, which included an option for purchase. That option would become an obligation under certain conditions for an additional fee of €35m.
That sort of figure is considered a snip in the current market for a player who has made a real impact in the Premier League.
Conte’s men are next in action on Sunday afternoon when they host table-topping Arsenal in the north London derby.
READ MORE: Conte blocks Tottenham departure for increasingly prominent star, with final decision due imminently