The 19-year-old’s move from São Paulo to Europe has been the prominent transfer saga this summer, with Manchester United and Inter both favourites to secure his services.
However, big-spending PSG, who have been tracking Moura for a number of months, recently joined the race to sign the youngster and now seem to have met the Brazilian side’s asking price of €40million-plus – unlike United and Inter.
Massimo Moratti told Sky Sport Italia: “We would never have gone up to that sum. The €45m that PSG offered is completely illogical and for us it would have been very out of key with our approach.
“PSG are starting a new era, so they are completely reconstructing the squad. At least I can relish the fact I’m saving money.”
PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti, who has already spent £80 million on signing Ezequiel Lavezzi, Thiago Silva, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marco Verratti, is looking to settle this once and for all by outbidding Manchester United and Inter Milan with this offer.
Moratti added: “In any case, there are no regrets that we didn’t finish off the move, as the cost was already pretty high a few days ago.
“We were close to Lucas, for several days we talked about him, but honestly I never really believed in this deal, because it was too expensive.”
Reports in Brazil have stated that once Moura has finished playing in the Olympic Games with the Seleção, who face South Korea in the semi-finals tonight, a deal with PSG will be announced.
It is also claimed as part of the agreement with the french-side, Lucas would remain in Brazil until January, which also appealed to São Paulo.
