Tottenham: £25m outcast 'key member of Conte's squad' at Hotspur Way

Tottenham winger Lucas Moura will only be allowed to leave Hotspur Way in January if the club can bring in a replacement, says transfer insider Dean Jones.

The 30-year-old was linked to Aston Villa and Newcastle United in the previous window, but Jones says he remains a key part of Antonio Conte’s squad and can only see a move happening in the future if someone else arrives at Spurs.

According to The Telegraph, Villa considered making a deadline day move for Lucas. In the end, though, nothing materialised.

As well as the Villans, Newcastle were also thought to have been interested in signing Lucas. As per Football Insider, the Tyneside club made a late swoop for the Brazilian, who they wanted to bring in on loan.

However, again, nothing happened, leaving Lucas at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium until at least January.

Whether Villa and Newcastle will still be interested, though, remains to be seen.

Jones has told GIVEMESPORT that Conte still values Lucas and will only let him go in January under the right circumstances.

Speaking to GMS, the journalist said: “He is a key member of the squad as it stands. I don’t think he will leave midway through the season unless Tottenham have got someone else in the bag already to fill his role, so I think it’s going to take another deal to be completed for him to move on.”

If his situation does not improve, then yes. Lucas is yet to start a Premier League game so far this season, but he has been injured for the last few.

However, he was also not a regular starter under Conte last term, with the Brazil international constantly in and out of the side.

Therefore, a move for Lucas, who joined Tottenham from Paris Saint-Germain in a £25m deal over four years ago, makes a lot of sense.

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