With all the drama surrounding West Ham United right now and the uncertainty facing Graham Potter, now feels like an odd time to discuss potential big-money signings.
Yet, after Callum Wilson struggled on his full West Ham debut against Crystal Palace and with Niclas Fullkrug’s wait for a first goal of 2025/26 dragging on, whoever finds himself sitting in the London Stadium dugout heading into January may be pushing for an attacking addition or two.
Not only do West Ham United have the division’s worst defensive record – conceding 13 times in five matches – only Aston Villa have scored fewer than their tally of three Premier League goals.
No wonder some fans are demanding Callum Marshall get a look in. Three goals in a week for the 20-year-old in Mark Robson’s reserves.
But could a solution be arriving, not from the academy, but from Brazil?
RTI Esporte reported this week that West Ham are keeping a very close eye on Cruzeiro hitman Kaio Jorge. Not only that, the Hammers have allegedly made it clear already that they are willing to spend £22 million giving the one-time Juventus starlet a second shot at European football.
Photo by Pedro Vilela/Getty ImagesCruzeiro striker Kaio Jorge responds to West Ham United rumours
Like another Brazilian linked heavily with a move to the London Stadium – Corinthians talisman Yuri Alberto eventually rebuffed West Ham’s advances after picking up a back injury over the summer – Kaio Jorge may feel he has unfinished business this side of the Atlantic.
While Alberto had a brief spell in Russia with Zenit St Petersburg, Kaio Jorge played nine Serie A matches for Juventus without scoring a goal in 2021/22.
Yet, when asked about West Ham’s reported interest, a 23-year-old who made his Brazil debut as Lucas Paqueta scored in this month’s 3-0 win over Chile told Caze TV that he still has a lot left to achieve at his current employers.
“I really want to stay at Cruzeiro,” says Kaio Jorge, perhaps a classic case of ‘once bitten, twice shy’ regarding European action, via via Radio Itatiaia. “Everyone knows that, that I’m very happy here.
“Right now, I’m not thinking about going abroad, despite the speculation. An offer should come in soon, but I hope to stay here for a long time.”
After coming through the ranks at Santos, Kaio Jorge spent three years in Italy. But while failing to make the grade at Juventus, he also scored only three times on loan at Frosinone, necessitating his return to Brazil.
But with 20 goals and six assists from his last 34 Cruzeiro appearances, the speculation is an inevitable by-product of his outstanding return to form.
Owner Pedro Lourenco, though, is on the same page as his one-time Under-17 World Cup winner.
“We are calm. He has a contract until 2028,” Lourenco explains. “We’ll only talk next year [about an extension but with regards to his future] we are calm.”
Kaio Jorge and Emmanuel Emegha out but Callum Marshall is impressing
So, before the January window has even entered the minds of many supporters, West Ham may have already seen their striker plans take an early blow.
Another with admirers at the London Stadium, Strasbourg ace Emmanuel Emegha has agreed to join Chelsea at some point in the New Year too.
As for Callum Marshall, the Northern Ireland international is determined to catch Graham Potter’s eye while letting his football – and his finishing – do the talking for the Under-21s.
“It was great just to have the minutes,” Marshall, who spent last season on loan at Huddersfield Town, said after hitting a brilliant brace in the 5-1 EFL Trophy thrashing of MK Dons.
“Even if the Under-21s staff hadn’t asked me, I would have wanted to play anyway. I get on really well with the development coaches and I’m never too big to play in these games.
“If I need minutes and this is the place to do it, then I have no problem with that. I really enjoyed it. Hopefully it shows what I can do.”