West Ham target Kaio Jorge continues to impress at Cruzeiro. His form and attitude have made him one of the most valuable players in Brazilian football this year.
According to ESPN Brazil, the 23-year-old striker has no plans to leave Belo Horizonte anytime soon. His focus is now on securing a place in Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad under Carlo Ancelotti.
Kaio Jorge and his representatives believe that staying at Cruzeiro is the best route to remaining in the national squad. The forward has already been called up for qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia. He sees regular minutes in Brazil as key to his long-term goal
Meanwhile, Cruzeiro are reportedly preparing to reward their star with a new deal. His contract currently runs until 2029, but the club are planning talks to improve both salary and length after the end of the Brasileirão.
The move is also seen as a way to strengthen Cruzeiro’s hand in the market. West Ham continue to monitor the situation closely ahead of the January window.
West Ham were already credited with interest during the previous transfer window, when they were said to have signalled willingness to pay €25m for his signing.
That figure, however, now looks well below Cruzeiro’s expectations, especially given Kaio Jorge’s 20-goal haul in 2025, which makes him the top scorer in both competitions.
Even Zenit’s approach in July was turned down by the striker, who believed a mid-season move could break his rhythm.
His stance remains firm: perform at the highest level for Cruzeiro, help the club compete for trophies, and fight for a World Cup spot. All while West Ham and other European sides keep him firmly on their radar.
