Amid all the drama at West Ham and growing questions about Graham Potter’s future, this hardly feels like the ideal time to be talking about expensive new signings.
But with Callum Wilson having a tough first start against Crystal Palace and Niclas Fullkrug still waiting to score his first goal of 2025/26, there may well be a push for more attacking options come January, regardless of who is in charge.
It is not just up front where things are not clicking. West Ham are already down as the league’s most porous side, letting in 13 across five matches.
It is no surprise that some fans are clamouring for Callum Marshall to be given an opportunity, as the 20-year-old has scored three goals in a week for Mark Robson’s squad.
But recent reports suggest that a solution could come from abroad.
The latest word from RTI Esporte is that West Ham are keeping tabs on Cruzeiro’s Kaio Jorge. More than that, there is talk they have already shown an interest in putting £22 million on the table to bring him back to Europe after his earlier spell with Juventus.
Kaio Jorge addresses talk of an international move amid West Ham rumours
Like fellow Brazilian Yuri Alberto, who also drew attention from West Ham before a back injury kept him sidelined over the summer, Kaio Jorge might feel he still has something to prove in Europe.
Alberto had a stint with Zenit St Petersburg in Russia, while Cruzeiro’s hitman appeared nine times for Juventus during the 2021/22 Serie A season, but failed to find the net.
Despite links to West Ham, the 23-year-old forward recently told Caze TV that his focus remains firmly on his current club, where he has been enjoying a good run of form.
“I really want to stay at Cruzeiro. Everyone knows 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,” he said (via Radio Itatiaia).
Kaio Jorge began his career at Santos before moving to Italy. He did not manage to break through at Juventus and scored just three goals during a loan spell at Frosinone before heading back to Brazil.
Since returning home though, he has turned things around impressively. With 20 goals and six assists in his last 34 games for Cruzeiro, it is no surprise his name keeps coming up in transfer rumours.
Cruzeiro owner Pedro Lourenco appears relaxed about the situation and believes an extension will only be discussed in 2026.
“We are calm. He has a contract until 2028. We’ll only talk next year [about an extension but with regards to his future] we are calm.”
Kaio Jorge and Emmanuel Emegha not available, but Callum Marshall turning heads
Before the January transfer window has even become a serious topic of conversation among fans, West Ham’s plans to strengthen their attack may already have hit a setback.
Emmanuel Emegha, another forward linked with a move to East London, has also committed his future elsewhere, with Strasbourg agreeing to let him join Chelsea early in the new year.
On the other hand, Northern Ireland international Callum Marshall is focused on impressing Graham Potter, letting his football and finishing prowess for the Under-21s speak for itself.
“It was great just to have the minutes,” Marshall said after scoring twice in a 5-1 win over MK Dons in the EFL Trophy.
“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.”
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