Reading F.C. star Lucas João is featured today in a two-page interview with Portuguese newspaper A Bola.
With 21 goals and six assists this season, the striker is having a great time at the Championship side, and that’s why it isn’t surprising to see talk of a move to the Premier League being mentioned, where Arsenal could be his favoured destination.
Before discussing the chances of a potential move to the Emirates, however, A Bola starts their interview by talking about Lucas João’s form and his path to Reading, as he signed for the Royals on a move from Sheffield Wednesday back in 2019.
Asked if there’s any frustration about not being in the Premier League at the age of 27, the goalscorer claims that move can still happen.
“At no time did I regret this bet and this step. It was good for me in all aspects. And for my family. Financially and educationally it has made me provide the best things for my children. I only see advantages, I have managed to keep everyone happy”.
Quizzed if he’s ever received any ‘interest or invites’ from clubs in the top tier, Lucas João didn’t want to feed the rumours.
“There are always rumours, but getting ahead with a contract is more complicated. I can only rely on certainties, my contracts have been made in the Champonship. I’ve shown my striking streak, I hope to step on the great English stages and show my quality to be able to fit among the Premier League scorers”.
The striker was also asked about Portuguese football, claiming he doesn’t regret having left the country and wouldn’t be interested in going back at this stage.
“I came to England for the dream of being in the Premier League, and being good in the Championship, I’m one step closer to that reality. As everything is going very well, let’s see what will come.
“I’m sure that it’d be very difficult for the big clubs in Portugal to be able to respond to my market value. And it also seems to me that it’d be difficult to reach the contractual terms that I have in England. The goal that brought me here was to play in the Premier League, it’s a desire that I’m focused on and I really want to achieve. But I can’t hide that returning to Portugal through the door of one of the greats would also be fantastic”.
And when quizzed if there’s any Premier League club he’d like to play for, he has a special mention for a specific one, in London, who currently play at the Emirates under the orders of Mikel Arteta.
“The Premier League is desirable as a whole… it’s the competition that everyone would like to play. But being in a top-six club, that would be fighting for something different, places in the Champions League, titles, the Europa League.
“It’d be fantastic, with my feet firmly on the ground I’d say that I would do anything to fit any team. But I can say that as a kid I was very fond of Arsenal. I already played against them for Sheffield, won and scored”.
