Aston Villa have not wasted much time in strengthening their attacking setup as they have managed to lure Wesley Moraes to the Villa Park from Club Brugge.
The Guardian has reported that the Villans had to roll out £22million to secure his services which makes him the club’s record signing, eclipsing the transfer fee of £18million which Aston Villa paid to sign Darren Bent from Sunderland in 2011.
The Premier League newcomers completed the deal yesterday and the Brazilian attacker is set to join the club subject to a work permit. He is reportedly flying into Birmingham to put finishing touches to the deal.
Signing him is a huge statement of intent from Aston Villa owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens as he is a power-packed goal getter and has the calibre to face the animosity which the English top flight offers.
What will he offer to Aston Villa?
Aston Villa got promoted from the Championship after beating Derby County in the play-off final and it is implied that Dean Smith needs to enhance the quality of his arsenal considerably to face the best clubs in the country and put together a decent season.
The signing of Moraes is a notable step in the right direction. Having spent his youth career at Itabuna back in his home country Brazil, he moved to Slovenian side Trencin in the summer of 2015.
In the January transfer window of 2016, he moved to Club Brugge and established himself as a formidable striker. The 22-year-old came of age in that season bagging 17 goals and providing 10 assists.
Although his performances were not enough to hand the Belgian Pro League title to Club Brugge, his efforts were noted by the football fraternity. Reportedly, Lazio and Newcastle United were also interested to sign him.
Tammy Abraham has departed for his parent club Chelsea after a sensational season on loan at the Villa Park. Moraes, their new signing, is a perfect target man and has the makings to replicate Christian Benteke’s exploits at Villa Park.
He is well-built and is imposing in the air and his exceptional knack to score goals should make life easier for the Lions in the top flight. Besides, he is quick and his movements on and off the ball add to his gameplay thus making him a difficult proposition to deal with for the opposition defenders.
The Brazilian can take his game to the next level under Dean Smith and he will surely be a striker to watch out for in the coming season.