1st November 2025 Daniel Luker (@danielluker_)
By Conor Hogan
After being linked with Real Madrid star Endrick, West Ham are reportedly interested in two other Brazilian forwards.
Due to the fitness concerns of Niclas Füllkrug and Callum Wilson, Hammers boss Nuno Espírito Santo has been exploring alternatives in West Ham’s striking department. In games against Arsenal and Brentford, the manager has given minutes to young striker Callum Marshall and has also deployed Lucas Paquetá as a makeshift centre-forward.
So far, these strategies have failed to produce goals for this impotent West Ham side, and the Irons already have one eye on the January transfer window. The Hammers seem particularly interested in acquiring more Brazilian talent, with Real Madrid’s out-of-favour forward Endrick and Lille’s impressive centre-back Alexsandro reportedly on their radar.
However, two new names have come to the fore in recent days – Kaio Jorge of Cruzeiro and Pedro of Flamengo. The East London side have previously been linked with the latter, who has 12 goals in 21 appearances in Série A this season. The 28-year-old has six Brazil national team caps and has spent most of his career in his native country.
Kaio Jorge is the “lethal” 23-year-old who has 15 goals and 7 assists in 27 Série A appearances in 2025. The striker received his first international call-up in September and initially came through the Santos academy, which has produced stars like Pelé and Neymar.
Yet, despite their impressive stats in Brazil, both players have failed to make an impact in Europe. They both had spells in Italy – Pedro with Fiorentina and Jorge with Juventus – but neither ever hit the ground running, and eventually both returned to their home country.
Neither striker is talentless, of course, but given the desperation of West Ham’s current league situation, Nuno must make sure that he brings in a striker who can win games for the Irons. It would be easy to say that West Ham should sign someone Premier League “proven”; however, strikers like Danny Ings and Robbie Keane proved ineffective during their spells in East London.
Ivan Toney has been heavily linked with a move to the London Stadium in January already, however, with Tottenham also said to be interested, a move for Toney could be unlikely. But if It could happen that has to be our priority, it seems like a move that couldn’t fail, but at West Ham that is never a guarantee.
It’s an unenviable decision for the new West Ham boss to make. Kaio Jorge is still young and has potential, but would be a risk – and so far, none of Nuno’s risks have paid off.