Rafa Benitez now set to miss out on 'top target' who was 'excited' to join NUFC - Report
According to the Chronicle, Newcastle United now look set to miss out on Rafa Benitez target Wesley Moraes, with uncertainty at the club meaning we've now 'lost ground' on a deal for the highly-rated Brazilian.
It was reported just recently that Rafa Benitez had made contact with Wesley and that he himself was 'excited' at the prospect of joining Newcastle, however it seems he's now closing in on a move to Lazio after we failed to make a concrete move for the striker.
It's frustrating yet should come as no surprise really, with situations like this seeming inevitable when we're stuck in the middle of another 'proposed takeover' and in limbo as a result in the middle of a key transfer window.
Here's what the Chronicle have had to say, suggesting we now look set to miss out on the 22-year-old described to be one of Rafa's 'top targets' this summer:
'Newcastle United have lost ground in the race to sign Club Brugge striker Wesley Moraes, with the striker now set to move elsewhere.
'The 22-year-old had been watched and scouted by United, with a source close to the player claiming that direct contract had been made by Rafa Benitez over a move to Tyneside - and that the Premier League was Moraes' preference over a move to Serie A.
'However, uncertainty over the proposed Bin Zayed takeover and Benitez's future means United have fallen behind in the chase for Moraes, and Chronicle Live has been told that his representatives are now 'moving forward with another situation', with a decision imminent.
'Moraes was said to be 'excited' to work with Benitez, and the Spaniard was the main attraction at United.
'It is understood that until Benitez's future is sorted, all significant transfer dealings - in and out - are on hold at United.
'West Ham have been linked with the Brazilian, but it is thought that Lazio are now in pole position despite reports that they were not willing to match a reported increase in valuation by Club Brugge.'
I'm sure we'll get over this if a takeover does eventually come off and Rafa Benitez is given money to spend by the Bin Zayed Group next month, but this is another frustrating development in what has been an infuriating start to our summer transfer window.
