Newcastle face having to pay a higher than previously thought price if we are to sign Club Brugge centre-forward Wesley Moraes, according to a report by Het Laatste Nieuws shared by Sport Witness.
The Belgian newspaper reported on Tuesday that, despite previous claims which emerged in Italy, the Brazilian striker had not agreed personal terms with SS Lazio, and that Brugge had rejected the Serie A side’s €18million (£15.9m) offer.
It was proposed toward the end of May that Moraes would be available for a transfer this summer if any interested suitor presented a bid in the region of £16million, which was thought to have put West Ham United off a move.
Bayer Leverkusen were also said to have pulled out of the race for the Itabuna Esporte Clube product, after the 17 goal, ten assist striker (in all competitions) rejected the chance to move to the Bundesliga.
Het Laatste Nieuws, though, have again mentioned the Hammers in their report of Lazio’s bid being rejected, and suggest they are still interested in the 22-year-old, who now demands a transfer fee of €30million (£26.5m).
The Brussels-based newspaper also claim Moraes rejected Leverkusen’s advances as he is holding out for a move to the Premier League, and that we are monitoring his situation ‘closely’ as we cannot finalise any transfers all the while Rafa Benitez’s contract situation remains unresolved.
It may prove to be the case that Moraes is the striker Benitez has the most interest in beyond retaining Salomon Rondon, although it has been implied that the club would prefer a move for TSG Hoffenheim’s Joelinton.