Tottenham show their savvy once more in pursuit of Lucas Moura

Tottenham Hotspur are the masters at finding value in the transfer market.

Eric Dier was bought for £4m from Sporting Lisbon in 2014. The centre-half pairing of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld was created for a modest £21m. While Christian Eriksen cost just £11m from Ajax in 2013.

Daniel Levy and co can spot a deal in a market that has become permeated by expensive flops.

And Spurs could be about to add Lucas Moura to that list.

The Brazilian is close to joining the Lilywhites from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal rumoured to be worth £25m.

For a player of Moura’s quality, that represents excellent value for money.

The arrival of Neymar, in particular, has shunted the 25-year-old down the pecking order at the Parc des Princes.

After scoring 16 goals in 48 matches last season, he has found the net just once in six appearances so far this campaign. He has also chipped in with 50 assists during his time in the French capital.

Moura has undoubted quality. And Mauricio Pochettino has proved time and again that he is a manager who has the ability to get the best out of his players.

But what precisely will the Brazilian add to Tottenham?

Well, he’s something of a throwback to the old-fashioned wingers that used to be ten-a-penny in English football.

He likes to take on full-backs and run them into submission. He has pace to burn and a burst of acceleration which should leave defenders trailing in his wake.

On top of that, the 5ft 7in ace is a proven winner. He’s accumulated 16 major honours with PSG, including four successive title triumphs between 2012 and 2016.

That could be imperative for a Tottenham side that have struggled to get things over the line in recent years.

Crucially he also adds another dimension to Spurs, whether that be off the bench or from the start.

His signing should give the North Londoners genuine width. That, in turn, allows more space for Tottenham’s attacking talents to exploit.

Harry Kane is already odds-on at 2/7 to be the Premier League’s top goalscorer this season.

But with another supply line and more space for his other providers, the 24-year-old could be set to bag a hatful more in front of goal.

Moura’s capture makes sense on a number of levels for Spurs, not least because the Brazilian is eligible to play in the Champions League.

Ultimately his signature could prove to be one of the signings of the window.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing