Some West Ham supporters have been reacting on social media to a report by Corriere dello Sport, via Sport Witness, that suggested the Irons are interested in signing Club Brugge centre-forward Wesley Moraes.
We are not the only side interested in the £16.2million-rated Brazilian, though, as the Italian outlet note that Newcastle United are also on his case, which makes sense given they may be in the market for a new striker if we follow through on the reports of our interest in Salomon Rondon, who spent the past year on loan at St James’ Park from West Bromwich Albion.
As for Moraes, Lazio are also chasing the 22-year-old, but Corriere dello Sport only note that the Magpies and we have come forward over the past few weeks to sound out a move. They do not claim whether that was via contact with the Juiz de Fora-born ace’s representatives or his Jupiler Pro League side, however.
What they do suggest, though, is that the physically imposing striker will be looking to move on from Club Brugge in the summer, as he searches for a side where he can make the next step in his young career.
Moraes moved to the Belgian first-tier side in 2016 from Slovakian Super Liga outfit AS Trencin, where he had only been plying his trade for half a season after leaving his homeland the previous summer.
Since arriving at the Jan Breydel Stadium, he has gone on to score 38 goals in 130 games, and assist a further 14, which has helped the Blauw-Zwart lift two Jupiler Pro league titles and one Belgian Super Cup – although his ten goals, nine assists this term failed to add a third top-flight crown as Genk took the honours by two-points.
Here’s how some of the London Stadium faithful reacted to the report of our interest in Moraes…
I like
— Igor Laia ⚒️ (@oigorlaia) May 20, 2019
oh yes
— will⚪️????⚒ (@willsimpson33) May 21, 2019
He’s class! & I know.???? #westham
— Marco 父 (@Marco_1895) May 20, 2019
Wayyyyyy better than Rondon and Mitrovic
— Jonathan Hastings (@Jonathan___H) May 20, 2019
I really like him, quick, powerful, but with good feet, if he’s under £20m I’d be shocked if G&S don’t go for him!
Rondon would be a great player for him to learn off if we were looking to add strength in depth…both of those for under £40m would be excellent— Steven McCarthy ???? (@StevenMcCarthy9) May 21, 2019
Husillos signing ????????
— West Ham United Transfer Kitty (@WHTransferKitty) May 21, 2019
No they’re not.
— ???? (@uptonpark68) May 20, 2019
Wanted him as the Arnautovic replacement.
— Joe Bryson (@BrysonJoe6) May 20, 2019