In Focus: Tottenham dropping out of Lucas Moura race suggests Malcom deal is close
According to reports in the Daily Mail, Tottenham Hotspur aren’t pursuing a deal for out of favour Paris Saint-Germain attacker Lucas Moura, who has been capped 35 times by Brazil, before the January transfer window slams shut.
What’s the word, then?
Well, the Daily Mail says that reports from France that Spurs were in talks over a loan deal with a view to a permanent move for the lightning-quick winger are not true, despite the fact that the Brazilian attacker has been offered to a number of Premier League clubs.
The Daily Mail reports that there have in fact been no discussions between the two clubs about the 25-year-old, who looks destined to leave the Ligue 1 leaders before the end of the month.
The report adds that Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino already has the maximum quota of foreign players (17) in his Champions League squad already, and he would have sacrifice one of those if he did sign Moura or anyone else prior to the next registration deadline.
How has Lucas Moura done this season?
It has been a hugely disappointing campaign for the 25-year-old.
Despite scoring 19 goals and providing a further 11 assists in 53 appearances in all competitions for PSG last term, he has been restricted to just six substitute outings in total so far this season – with one goal and one assist in those – following the summer additions of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
Why don’t Tottenham want him?
While the Champions League registration issue could have affected Mauricio Pochettino’s thinking, the fact that the Brazilian is an out-and-out winger and Spurs don’t really play a system that incorporates one of those may have been a bigger problem.
The 25-year-old would likely have to play in a more central role, or even as a wing-back, if he did join the north London outfit, and Pochettino obviously feels that the deal wouldn’t be right for the club or the player.
Tottenham have been heavily linked with Bordeaux’s Malcom in recent weeks, and he could be their preferred target over Lucas Moura.
What’s the verdict, then?
While Tottenham aren’t interested now, they could look at the situation again in the summer if they don’t get Malcon and the Brazilian is still at PSG then, as he will only have a year left on his contract.
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