Barca fail in dramatic deadline day swoop for £45m Spurs man

Barcelona missed out on signing Tottenham forward Lucas Moura before Monday’s transfer deadline for European clubs, according to reports.

The European transfer window slammed shut on September 2 with Premier League clubs breathing a huge sigh of relief after their window closed almost four weeks earlier.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has been particularly vocal over his dislike of the early closure, with a number of his group unsettled while the prospect of a move to Europe was still a possibility.

One name he won’t have necessarily been worried about was Moura – but Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona made a last-minute effort to bring him to the Nou Camp.

After failing to land Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar, Moura was understood to be their plan B.

However, the report adds that the Catalan giants would not meet Tottenham’s asking price of £45m for the Brazilian.

The 27-year-old has a goal and assist to his name already this term, while he contributed 15 goals in all competitions last campaign.