The agent of Club Brugge striker Wesley Moraes has confirmed that Newcastle and West Ham are interested in bringing the player to the Premier League.
The 22-year-old Brazilian attacker was fantastic for the Belgian side last term, scoring 17 goals and setting up 10 others in 48 appearances.
Speaking to The Laziali, Paulo Nehmy said that his client had received interest from Serie A side Lazio as well as the English duo.
“Yes, it is true, Lazio are interested, but between being close and getting the business done it still demands conversations,” the agent said.
“Yes, it’s true too (on Newcastle interest), we already had a conversation, but Rafa Benitez needs to renew his contract.
“West Ham have also made contact.”
OPINION
This is an interesting revelation and one that will certainly excite Newcastle and West Ham fans if it is indeed true. Moraes’s statistics for the Belgian club suggest he is a player that would definitely benefit the Premier League duo, as well as any other side at this moment. What’s interesting from the Newcastle side of things, however, is that it seems as if the agent is only willing to progress talks with Newcastle further once Benitez’s future at the club is resolved. It seems from his comments that negotiations will only proceed if – and this is a big if – the Spaniard remains at the club. If he goes, so does the chance of signing Moraes. That may give West Ham some hope, since they too are looking to sign another attacker this summer to keep Marco Arnautovic on his toes. It will be interesting to see what happens with this one, but it seems that Moraes’s fantastic form has definitely caught the eye.