Lucas Moura has insisted he is desperate for first-team action after a falling out of favour with Antonio Conte. Just three league starts since January has turned a once-fan favourite at Tottenham Hotspur into an also-ran who cannot buy a game.
The Brazilian is yet to start a Premier League game in 2022-23 and a calf injury saw him tumble further down the pecking order in North London. Conte signed Serie A prospect Dejan Kulusevski in his first transfer window as manager, a move which has drastically impacted Moura’s game time.
On deadline day in August, reports suggested Newcastle United had enquired about taking the 30-year-old to St James’ Park. Italian sports Journalist Fabrizio Romano claimed an approach was made to Spurs but discussions never reached an advanced stage.
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Efforts were made to bring a winger to Tyneside but a breakthrough never materialised. As it turned out, the snub proved to be a blessing in disguise as Miguel Almiron has emerged as Eddie Howe’s latest success story.
The Paraguayan looked destined for the scrapheap earlier this year, with his agent hinting at a move away over the summer. However, eight goals in 15 appearances has seen Almiron become the Premier League’s most-improved player.
Speaking to Brazilian YouTube channel Flow Sport Club, Moura claimed he would leave Spurs “for free” if it meant playing football again. He said: “Man, my plan, to be honest, I want to play football and I want to be in a club that allows me to play at a high level, play in a good league, play at a good level.
“That is my plan. I still have a lot of firewood to burn, I’m 30 years old, so I’m very young. If Tottenham want to renew, cool too, a club I like a lot, I’ve adapted. Let’s see, let’s hear the renewal proposal. If they don’t want to, I’ll leave for free, and being free, of course, more proposals appear. So it’s a matter of analysing and seeing what we decide.”
There would be few - if any - Toon supporters who would take Moura over Almiron right now. An argument could be made to sign him regardless, as squad depth remains an issue in the early stages of Newcastle’s post-takeover era.
The prospect of another Brazilian international should excite fans but, in reality, Newcastle need “the next” Moura rather than a player approaching the twilight of his career. It would be intriguing to see what Eddie Howe could do with the energetic winger and a year ago this signing was a no-brainer. It is a testament to the quick turnaround on Tyneside that Toon chiefs are likely looking beyond a former Champions League finalist.
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