West Ham United have been linked with a move for Brazilian striker Wesley Moraes.
According to The Chronicle, Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini is battling it out with Newcastle United and Lazio in the race for the powerful Club Brugge star.
West Ham are looking to sign two strikers this summer.
Interest in Celta Vigo’s Maxi Gomez appears to have stalled while Pellegrini has also been linked with Aleksandar Mitrovic and Salomon Rondon (Daily Star).
But now Moraes has been mentioned as a possible arrival at the London Stadium.
Brazilian striker linked
The Brazilian plays as a centre-forward for Club Brugge in the Jupiler League. This season, he has scored 17 goals and provided 10 assists in 48 games.
Overall he has 43 goals in 139 career games. That is a ratio of almost one in three, not too shabby for a young forward.
While they are impressive figures it is tempered by the fact the Belgian top flight is considerably weaker than the Premier League.
The 22-year-old was seen crying on the pitch after Brugge’s last game of the season.
And he admitted after the game it was because he is leaving the club this summer.
Tearful Wesley wants Premier League move
His preferred destination? The Premier League.
“I do not know yet (which team, but) I have a preference for the Premier League,” Moraes said, as reported by The Chronicle.
“But we’ll see what happens, I have to give it a go. I’m really sad to leave, that’s why I cried.”
Unless you are an ardent follower of the Juliper Pro League then little is known about the hulking 6ft3in forward.
Video shows Hammers what they would be getting
Well a summer transfer rumour wouldn’t be a summer transfer rumour without the obligatory YouTube clip.
Yes, we all remember Julien Faubert.
But this video showcasing Moraes’s goals, power, pace, and assists makes him look well worth a punt if the price is right.
He certainly seems to have all the attributes needed to be a success in England.
And West Ham could lure him to London with the prospect of playing alongside compatriot Felipe Anderson.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmWSR265w-A