BARCELONA were reportedly interested in signing Lucas Moura this summer… until Tottenham demanded £45million for any transfer.
The Spanish giants saw the forward as a back-up option in case their pursuit of bringing Neymar back to the Nou Camp failed.
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Lucas enjoyed a fine end to last season, especially with his dramatic hat-trick in the Champions League semi-final against Ajax.
But according to Mundo Deportivo, Barca decided against going after him because they felt any potential deal would not be good business.
Lucas, 27, was sold by Paris Saint-Germain in January 2018 for £25m, five months after the French club broke the world transfer record to sign Neymar from Barcelona.
Neymar was linked with a move back to Spain throughout the summer transfer window this year.
A return to Barcelona or joining rivals Real Madrid looked a strong possibility after the Brazilian superstar failed to return to pre-season training when he was expected to be back.
There was even a suggestion he would be willing to stump up some of his own money to secure a move.
But with no deal thrashed out before Monday’s European transfer deadline, Neymar is staying in Paris – at least until January.
And Lucas is going nowhere, either.
Despite Barca’s reported interest, the forward committed his long-term future to Tottenham by signing a new five-year contract, keeping him at the club until 2024.
But while the Catalan side did not land Neymar or Lucas, they did spend £107.6m on Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann.
The Frenchman has two goals and an assist from his three games for Barcelona so far as he completes a stellar front three with Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi.
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