Liverpool urged to make move for Spurs forward

John Aldridge has urged Liverpool to make a move for Tottenham forward Lucas Moura as an alternative to Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann.

Lucas scored 15 goals across all competitions in his first full season for Spurs including an incredible hat-trick against Ajax in the Champions League semi-finals.

The Brazilian came off the bench in the final but could do nothing to prevent Liverpool securing a 2-0 win in Madrid.

And now Aldridge, who made over 100 appearances for Liverpool, has suggested his former club should consider swooping for Lucas in the coming weeks.

The Reds have been linked with Griezmann but Aldridge believes a move for Lucas is more realistic and affordable.

He told the Irish Independent: “Antoine Griezmann has been mentioned as a possible target, but he would be a very expensive option as his transfer fee and wages would be extravagant for a player who would expect to start every week.

“So I wonder whether Lucas Moura could be prised away from Tottenham, as he had to be a little bemused to be left out of their Champions League final starting line-up after he scored a fantastic hat-trick in the semi-final against Ajax.

“Moura is a tricky forward who could slot into the team if any of the front three were out and the same could be said of his team-mate Son Heung-min, although I would be surprised if Spurs allowed the South Korean to leave after his outstanding season.”

Aldridge went on to suggest Crystal Palace talisman and reported Tottenham target Wilfried Zaha as another alternative to Griezmann.

“Maybe they should look into the possibility of recruiting Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace,” he added, “who is rumoured to have made it clear he wants to move on to play Champions League football.

“Zaha has given Liverpool some real problems in the last couple of years and Klopp’s ability to turn talents of his type into consistent performers has to make him the kind of player who could thrive at Anfield.”

Despite the fact he began the Champions League final among the substitutes, Lucas remains an important part of the Tottenham squad and it’s unlikely the Londoners will sell.

They especially will not want to allow key players to join their direct rivals, so Aldridge’s comments are a little wide of the mark.