Lucas, meia do São Paulo (Crédito: Idário Café/VIPCOMM)
The Nerazzurri’s chances of sealing a deal for the Argentine striker were raised with the news that Alexandre Pato turned his back on a switch to Paris Saint-Germain to stay at AC Milan.
Meanwhile, the Rossoneri have not officially bowed out of negotiations with Manchester City over the Argentine, but Pato staying makes it less likely that they will meet the Premier League side’s high valuation of the want-away forward.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, however, and with no confirmation that Tevez will move to the Giuseppe Meazza, Inter have lined up 19-year-old Lucas as a ‘Plan B’ should that move fall through.
The transfer of the talented midfielder would not be any more straightforward. Both Lucas and Sao Paulo have declared in recent months that they are unwilling to consider a transfer, and according to Lance only a bid upwards of €35 million would be enough to tempt the Paulista giants.
Meanwhile, Sao Paulo’s city rivals Corinthians have also declared that their interest in ‘Carlitos’ remains intact. Director Duilio Alves told TV Bandeirantes that a deal could still be done, although it would have to be on a temporary basis.
“The fans will have to remain patient, and City have to define what is going to happen. Corinthians are not interested in a permanent deal,” the official explained, signalling the club’s intention to pursue a loan agreement with Roberto Mancini’s team.
Tevez previously represented the Timao for two years between 2006 and 2007, before moving to England with West Ham.