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Striker’s agent confirms talks with Newcastle United but waiting for Rafa Benitez contract decision

5 years ago
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The ongoing saga of waiting for the Rafa Benitez contract situation to be resolved, is taking its toll on Newcastle fans.

Fans worried about whether the much decorated manager will stay.

Whilst there are also the worries of just how big a negative the Rafa situation will be, in terms of its impact on missed transfer opportunities.

A big indication as to just how real those fears are, has been delivered on Saturday.

Club Brugge striker Wesley Moraes has been widely linked to Newcastle and last weekend (see below) confirmed his preference was to move to the Premier League this summer.

Paulo Nehm is the agent of the Brazilian striker and in an exclusive interview has answered questions about the player’s future.

Nehm confirming that there has been talks with Newcastle United.

However, he says that they are having to wait to see what happens with Rafa Benitez first, before any potential progress can be made on a transfer.

Speaking to The Laziali, Wesley Moraes’ agent, Paulo Nehm’:

‘Are Lazio interested still?’

“Yes, it is true, Lazio are interested, but between being close and getting the business done it still demands conversations.

‘What about Newcastle? Are they in the running?’

“Yes, it’s true too, we already had a conversation.

“But, Rafa Benitez needs to renew his contract (first)…

“West Ham have already made contact.”

The Mag – 20 May 2019:

Wesley Moraes is definitely leaving Belgium this summer.

The 22 Brazilian striker ended his season with Brugge on Sunday, a 3-2 home win over Antwerp on Sunday.

He left the pitch in tears and afterwards confirmed it was due to the fact he is leaving the club this summer, saying he has to ‘give it a go’ at a higher level next season.

His three and a half years at Brugge have seen the 6ft 3 forward score 32 league goals in 78 starts (plus 29 appearances off the bench).

This compares to Aleksandar Mitrovic’ record of 36 goals in the Belgian league in 65 starts (plus 4 sub appearances) for Anderlecht before he joined Newcastle as a 20 year old back in 2015.

Lazio have been regularly linked with Wesley Moraes and Corriere dello Sport have given that link more coverage today – but have also quoted the striker’s agent saying that there has been contact this month from Newcastle United and West Ham as well.

Newcastle are reported to have watched the striker (as well as countless others…) this season and he has scored 17 goals (13 in the league) in all competitions and got 10 assists as well.

After Sunday’s game, Wesley Moraes stated ‘I have a preference for the Premier League’ but claimed he doesn’t know yet who he will be signing for.

Another name for the summer signing list…

When asked about his future after the final game of the season on Sunday, a 3-2 home win over Antwerp, Wesley Moraes said:

“I’m really sad to leave (Brugge) and that is why I cried.

“I do not know yet (who I will sign for) but I have a preference for the Premier League, we will see what happens.

“I have to give it a go (at a higher level).

“It has been three years since I arrived (in January 2016) at Brugge (from Slovakian club Trencin).

“It (Brugge) is a great club that has made me grow and progress.

“A club with whom I discovered the Champions League and scored important goals, now I’m going to meet a new challenge.”

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