The sports vice-president of La Liga side Real Betis has confirmed that the club are keen on a surprise move for Tottenham winger Lucas Moura if the opportunity were to arise.
The Brazilian winger only arrived in north London back in the January transfer window, joining from French heavyweights Paris St Germain, and after a slow start bedding into the first team at Spurs, he has established himself in the senior squad.
The 26-year-old started and played just under 70 minutes of the 2-1 win over Newcastle United, but with the Spanish transfer window still open, Betis’ sports VP Lorenzo Serra Ferrer revealed that he would like to make the Brazilian part of their squad for their domestic and European campaign, having qualified for the Europa League group stages.
Speaking of reported interest in Moura and Joao Mario, he told eldesmarque: “They are two great footballers and if we have possibilities we would like to have them.
“But we have to be realistic and know what we can do. We try to distribute the economic potential well in order to try to reinforce and improve the workforce.”
Opinion
This is simply a pipe dream for Real Betis, for Lucas seems to have a big part to play under Mauricio Pochettino after a difficult start to life in England. He seemed completely out of sorts when signing from PSG and it appears to have taken him half a season to get back up to speed in terms of fitness and ability, but finally fans are seeing just what he can bring to the side. Losing him before the end of August would leave the Lilywhites with a lack of attacking options and considering the controversy surrounding Spurs making no signings during the summer window, it is simply not going to happen – at least not without a massive transfer fee tabled. Betis do not have the spending power to prise him away from north London, and so unless someone else comes in with more financial clout, he is going to be staying with Tottenham for the foreseeable future.