Report: Aston Villa agree £23m bid with Club Brugge for Wesley Moraes

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Aston Villa have agreed on a deal to sign Club Brugge striker Wesley Moraes for £23 million, according to Belgian outlet HLN.

The 22-year-old will pen a five-year deal at Villa Park, becoming the club’s third new addition since their return to the top-flight.

It is thought that Bayer Leverkusen were also interested in the Brazilian, but his desire to play in the Premier League has given Villa the edge.

Moraes was in superb form last season. In 48 games for the Belgian giants, he netted 17 goals and registered 10 assists.

Tammy Abraham was Villa’s talisman last season but has now returned to Chelsea.

The deal is the highest transfer fee ever for a player signed from the Belgian top division and Smith will hope he can fire his team to glory.

TBR Verdict

Moraes does represent a bit of a risk but his goalscoring credentials still make him an exciting signing.

It was vital that Villa replaced the departed Abraham and one pleasing aspect for supporters will be the timing of the arrival.

The Brazilian will now have all summer with his new team-mates, allowing him every possible chance of quickly getting up to scratch with the English game.

Some supporters might have hoped for a more familiar forward to come into the club. At 22, however, Moraes will retain some sell-on value, should the move fall flat.