NEWCASTLE UNITED have missed out on one of their summer transfer targets, with Brazilian forward Wesley Moraes having agreed to join Aston Villa from Club Brugge.

Newcastle’s scouting team watched Wesley on a number of occasions last season, with the 22-year-old’s ten goals from 27 Jupiler League starts having helped Brugge finish second and qualify for the Champions League.

Wesley’s agent, Paulo Nehmy, confirmed Newcastle’s interest last month, claiming he had held a preliminary series of talks with senior St James’ Park officials.

However, with Newcastle’s transfer business currently on hold amid ongoing uncertainty about both the ownership of the club and the future of manager Rafael Benitez, the Magpies were unable to take their initial interest any further.

Their inability to complete any deals has proved costly, with Aston Villa agreeing a club-record €25m deal with Brugge.

Wesley is expected to travel to England in the next couple of days to finalise personal terms and undergo a medical, and the Brazilian should be confirmed as newly-promoted Villa’s marquee summer signing at the start of next week.

Newcastle have also been linked with 17-year-old midfielder Lucien Agoume in the last few days, but the Sochaux youngster is set to move to Italy to join Inter Milan.

Agoume, who is a France youth international, made 16 senior Ligue 2 appearances for Sochaux last season.