Tottenham Hotspur are confident of completing the signing of Lucas Moura from Paris Saint-Germain before the transfer window closes on Wednesday.
The Brazil winger visited the club’s training ground on Thursday for talks with Mauricio Pochettino, the Tottenham manager, and Daniel Levy, the chairman, and PSG are eager to do a deal to ensure they comply with Financial Fair Play regulations in the wake of the world-record fee paid for Neymar and the forthcoming signing of Kylian Mbappé from Monaco.
PSG value Moura at £25 million, and negotiations are continuing for a player to whom Tottenham are willing to give a four-and-a-half-year contract. Pochettino, who played for PSG, has been keen to add more creative options and has secured Levy’s backing to bring in a significant signing in January, which is unusual for Tottenham.
Moura, 25, moved to PSG in 2013 from São Paulo, when he was chased by Manchester United, but he has fallen out of favour this season and has not started a game for the French league leaders. He has not featured in the Champions League and would not be cup-tied for Spurs. Pochettino’s team face Juventus in the last 16 next month.
Pochettino must operate within certain financial constraints, as Tottenham fund the construction of their new £850 million stadium, but Moura’s wages would suit them.
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Tottenham are also attempting to secure a deal to sign Malcom from Bordeaux, although the Brazilian would not join the club until the summer.
Toby Alderweireld resumed training this week after being sidelined with a hamstring injury since the start of November and could play a part in Tottenham’s FA Cup fourth-round tie away to Newport County today. Danny Rose, who has had a knee problem, is also back in training. Christian Eriksen and Hugo Lloris will be assessed after suffering from illness while Serge Aurier (calf), Harry Winks (ankle) and Érik Lamela (gluteus) are doubts.