West Ham United have failed in their initial bid to sign Cruzeiro striker Kaio Jorge after the Brazilian club refused to open negotiations for their star forward.
West Ham United have seen their opening attempt to sign Cruzeiro striker Kaio Jorge rejected, according to recent reports.
The Premier League side reportedly made direct contact with the player’s representatives before approaching the Brazilian club with a formal inquiry.
However, the proposal was met with a firm dismissal as Cruzeiro looks to retain the 23-year-old forward who has become a focal point of their offensive lineup.
The refusal comes as a blow to West Ham’s January recruitment plans, with manager Nuno Espirito Santo eager to bolster a struggling strike force.
Despite the Hammers’ interest, the Brazilian outfit has made it clear they have no intention of letting their star man depart during the winter window.
Sources indicate that “Cruzeiro did not even want to open negotiations,” signaling their commitment to keeping the striker for the upcoming season.
Jorge has enjoyed a significant career resurgence since returning to Brazil from a difficult spell at Juventus, leading to interest from several European clubs.
While West Ham remains keen on a deal to solve their goal-scoring woes, they may now be forced to look elsewhere or significantly increase their valuation.
For now, the Brazilian club remains steadfast, insisting “there are no plans to negotiate the top scorer in this window.”