ASTON VILLA have broken their transfer record by signing Club Brugge striker Wesley for £22.25million.
The 22-year-old Brazilian kid is expected to pen a five-year-contract in the next 24 hours which will him the most expensive player in Belgian football history.
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The deal is subject to a work permit and international clearance.
Wesley, who stands an imposing 6ft 3in, shone last season as he rattled home 17 goals and produced nine assists to help Club Brugge finish runners up to Genk.
That form had scouts from Europe’s top leagues flocking to the Jan Breydel Stadium.
However, Moraes was determined to hold out for a move to England where his physique and aggression led to inevitable comparisons with former Villa ace Christian Benteke.
The youngster turned his back on Lazio, Bayer Leverkusen and a fortune from Guangzhou Evergrande to focus on his dream move to the Premier League.
Moraes’ decision to sign for Villa is a major coup for Dean Smith, who managed to fight off interest from relegated Cardiff City and Prem rivals Newcastle for the talented youngster.
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The deal smashes the £18m plus add-ons they paid for former England striker Darren Bent and it also matches the €25m Monaco paid Anderlecht for Youri Tielemans because, unlike Tielemans there are no add-ons involved in Moraes’ deal.
With top scorer Tammy Abraham back at his parent club Chelsea, Smith needed to find a striker fast and he has been quick off the mark to snap up one of the most fearsome forwards in Belgian football to spearhead his attack after a three-year absence from the Premier League.
Smith will now turn his attention to bolstering his defence with Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland, Brighton defender Lewis Dunk and Southampton left-back Matt Targett next on his pricey shopping list.
