According to The Sun, Arsenal head coach Unai Emery is mulling over a move for Club Brugge striker Wesley Moraes.
The Gunners are keen to shore up their attack in the upcoming January transfer window and it is believed that they are weighing up a £15 million move for the Brazilian forward. But is he a viable target for the North London giants?
Wesley Moraes: Player profile
Wesley Moraes moved to Brugge back in 2016 in a £900k move from Slovakian top-tier outfit AS Trencin. And following a rather steady start to his career in Belgium, Moraes has hit the ground running this season, scoring seven goals while mustering four assists in just 15 games so far.
As far as his gameplay is concerned, Wesley is mainly advertised as a robust forward, whose 1.91m frame serves him well in asserting aerial dominance. Unlike many young players these days, the 21-year-old relies heavily on physical attributes instead of his mobility and pace.
While Wesley’s aerial prowess makes him a target man in the box, the Brazilian is also proficient in holding on to the ball and keeping possession. This allows him to contain the pressure exerted by the defenders, which in turn, allows his teammates to get involved and be more expressive in the final third.
In addition, the Club Brugge attacker has excellent reactions in front of goal while his excellent scoring tally is indicative of his sharp finishing – the very quality which makes him one of the most sought-after talents in European football.
Why do Arsenal need Wesley Moraes?
Following the departures of Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud this year, Arsenal have been left a bit shallow in the attacking department. And while the Gunners have not yet gone for a like for like replacement of Sanchez, Club Brugge’s Wesley Moraes could be an interesting acquisition following Giroud’s sale.
Much like the Frenchman, Wesley relies heavily on his aerial prowess and can be utilized as a target-man. His physical attributes also help him to hold off pressure from the defenders.
Therefore, the 21-year-old is an appealing target for Unai Emery as the Brazilian can not only provide more depth in the attacking department but also add an extra dimension to Arsenal’s offensive approach, thanks to his robust style of play.
In addition, Wesley Moraes will be an excellent replacement for Danny Welbeck, who is tipped to leave Emirates and a fee of just £15 million could potentially turn out to be an absolute steal for the Gunners.
