Aston Villa’s pursuit of Kaio Jorge continues to gain substance, as new information from GOAL Brazil outlines Cruzeiro’s stance for the 2026 window.
The Premier League side appear among several European clubs that made enquiries for the striker in recent weeks, but all interested parties heard the same message: Cruzeiro will only open talks after the current season and will demand €35m for any negotiation.
Aston Villa, Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen contacted the Brazilian club to gather details about Kaio Jorge’s situation. None of them submitted formal offers, but Aston Villa did send scouts to watch him last week.
Cruzeiro, however, want clarity. They informed each club that discussions will only begin once the league and Copa do Brasil end, and that any bid must reach €35m.
The valuation follows a strong season for the forward, who leads the league in goals and holds a central role in Cruzeiro’s attack. The club initially hoped to keep him for their return to the Copa Libertadores in 2026, yet they admit that a €35m offer would be difficult to refuse.
The stance also reflects previous approaches. In July, Nottingham Forest made a formal bid worth less than €20m, which Cruzeiro immediately rejected. That refusal now looks even more significant, as the Brazilian side believe Kaio Jorge’s market value has risen sharply throughout 2025.
For Aston Villa, the updated information from Brazil shows the scale of the fee required and reinforces the level of competition. The Midlands club remain attentive to the striker’s situation, but any January move would demand a major financial effort.
