Who is Arsenal target Wesley Moraes? The next big talent scouted by Emery?
According to a report in Sun Football, Premier League giants Arsenal have joined the race to sign Brazilian striker Wesley Moraes from Club Brugge. The Gunners boss Unai Emery is keeping close tabs on the player and is weighing up a £15m move in the January transfer window.
Other European clubs Fiorentina and Valencia are also interested in the player, who has been in great form in the Belgian top-flight league and also in the Champions League. Moraes is contracted until 2023 with Brugge, but the club could be tempted to cash in if a decent offer comes around. (Sun)
Emery is looking to add competition to his striker department, probably knowing the fact that Danny Welbeck isn’t going to make a comeback from injury this season.
Here’s everything you need to know about the striker:
Scout report – Wesley Moraes
Age – 22
Current club – Club Brugge
Main Position – Striker
Born in Brazil, Moraes played for AS Trencin between 2015 and 2016, scoring eight goals in 22 appearances in Fortuna Liga and Europe combined. On 29 January 2016, he moved to Club Brugge and has been a part of the Belgian side since. The striker has netted 31 goals in 100 appearances in all competitions so far for the club.
The 22-year-old has been in terrific form in front of the goal this season, scoring 10 goals and supplying five assists in 23 appearances. He recently scored against Monaco in a Champions League game last month and impressed everyone with the way he led the line.
Wesley Moraes is a right-footed player who is physically strong (191cm height) that enables him to win aerial duels, subsequently making him a threat from set-pieces. He possesses a great turn of pace to go past the defenders in a trice. He uses his body strength to fend off players and holds the ball up to allow other midfielders to run beyond him.
The Brazilian can also dribble past opponents in the congested final third area of the pitch. Moreover, he has improved his finishing this season, making him an all-around striker fit to lead the line in big games and prove to be a difference-maker.
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Arsenal have two good strikers in Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, however, the latter is mostly used as a left winger. With Welbeck set to be out for the rest of this season, it is imperative from the Gunners’ viewpoint to buy a new striker in winter and back up Lacazette and Aubameyang.