Lucas Moura has provided a further update on his future at Tottenham, with talk on why a move back to Sao Paulo may not have yet been secured. The 29-year-old made 34 Premier League appearances last season, scoring two goals and registering six assists.
Earlier this month the Brazilian received praise from Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle, who branded him as "different" to others on the bench. "He runs with the ball, he is a bit different, he has a change of pace, he draws fouls, he works hard, he presses people," Hoddle explained.
Antonio Conte often looks to Lucas as one of the first substitutions he makes in a game. However, this means that in the winger's 34 league features, he only started in 19 and has struggled to find a regular spot in the starting XI, with the arrival of Dejan Kulusevski.
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The Swede made the move to N17 at the end of the January transfer window, with former Juventus teammate Rodrigo Bentancur. The duo have not only broken straight into Conte's regular line-up, but also made an immediate impact on the side and settled in very quickly.
This has already meant the likes of Lucas and Steven Bergwijn have been pushed down the pecking order and this could create an even more difficult situation for them, if more new arrivals are battling for their positions too. Back in September, the Brazilian did admit his future plans, with a return to his home country on the cards.
"It's in my plans to go back to Brazil, back to Sao Paulo. I never hid it from anyone, I never hid the affection and love I feel for Sao Paulo," he explained. "When I left Sao Paulo I said I wanted to stay for 10 years in Europe. Come rain, come shine, my goal, my plan is to stay 10 years."
After Tottenham's last home game of the season, the 29-year-old expressed his love for Spurs and seemed to confirm his position for at least another season though. "I love this club, I love to play for Tottenham. For me, the feeling is amazing," Moura admitted.
"I just want to come on the pitch and give my best and see the fans singing and see them happy. The most important for us is to give our best on the pitch to see them like this. Let's fight for more next season and fight for a trophy because they [fans] deserve it."
However as a recent guest on TV programme Ta na Area TV, Lucas seemed to reiterate his previous comments, but went into more detail about a potential move. "I don’t like to create expectations where there aren’t any, it’s a difficult issue to resolve," he said.
"Today I have a contract with Tottenham, the fee is difficult for Sao Paulo, there is also the salary. It’s difficult. The reality is that I do think about returning, but I never made a clear date."
Lucas is currently valued at up to £17million, according to CIES. The 29-year-old has a contract with Spurs until 2024 and unless that is extended soon, he will become a free agent in just a couple of years, which may pave way for the Brazilian to return to his home country.
"It’s going to be 10 years, I’ll still be fine, I’m 29 years old. I’ll have a lot of wood to burn, it’s a possibility," the winger explained. "If something doesn’t come up that catches my eye in a big club in Europe, a club that I like, Sao Paulo is a very strong possibility."
"I think yes, Sao Paulo has always been on my mind. When I see it approaching the end of the contract and I still haven’t had any contact with a specific club, which I would like, Sao Paulo is a very strong option," Moura added.
"Back to my country, to the club where I was formed…But you have to wait and see how it goes." The Brazilian seems to be very open about his current thoughts - feeling content at Tottenham but not closing off from a potential move elsewhere.
Lucas is clearly someone Conte can trust and rely on, when he needs or wants to make a substitution during a game. However, if new players do make the move to north London this summer and the 29-year-old gets even less opportunities, that may be the point he decides to close his Spurs chapter and move on, especially if his contract doesn't get extended.
