The Champions League qualification this season will be an interesting affair. North London clubs Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are currently struggling to break into the top-4 and the club’s activities in the January transfer window might go a long way in deciding their league positions, come the end of the season.
With not too many quality stars up for grabs half-way through the season, both teams might end up fighting for the same player. One such player, attracting interest from both clubs is Brazil international Lucas Moura.
According to reports, Unai Emery, the current coach of PSG, has asked Lucas Moura to search for a new club for regular game time this season and has slapped a price tag of £35m on his signature. Arsenal could be tempted to spend on the winger while Spurs deem his price tag to be too expensive. But where will Lucas fit in better?
A pacey winger with decent skill and end product, Lucas Moura is one of the most exciting attackers in Ligue 1 at the moment. The quality in the first team at the French Capital has left him with little game time this season and his future, till the end of the season, is now in his hands.
Is Arsenal The Right Choice?
Playing for Arsene Wenger is bound to be an attraction for even the best of players. Lucas, who is 25, is still learning the game and will love to learn from the French tactician at the Emirates. The sale of Alexis Sanchez has opened a first-team spot as well, giving Lucas a path into the side.
With Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette playing around him, they are bound to get the best out of the Brazilian, making Arsenal an attractive option for the PSG man.
What Will Spurs Provide:
Under Pochettino, the 25-year-old will be a crucial star in the first team. Heung Min-Son is the only genuine winger in the senior side for Spurs at the moment but the likes of Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen will often push him out of the first team.
He will surely gain a lot of experience under Pochettino and will have to fight for his place, which will also help him improve as a player.
Better Destination?
While the Gunners will see Lucas add some width to the attack, they will still need another addition to their side, to make sure that they can compete at the highest level. However, Pochettino’s side are just one serious addition away from taking on the best in Europe and Lucas could just be the final piece of the puzzle.
His style of play is perfect for Pochettino’s system and at 25, he ticks most boxes in the Argentine’s recruitment model. He will have a greater immediate effect on Spurs than he will have on Arsenal.