Seven months ago, just before the January transfer window swung into action, there were four talented young centre-forwards emerging on West Ham United’s radar.
Unfortunately for Graham Potter, Evan Ferguson would fare far, far worse than the other three during the first half of 2025.
While Republic of Ireland coach John O’Shea is backing Ferguson to bounce back from a miserable loan spell at the London Stadium, 152 goalless minutes of Premier League football will do little to burnish the reputation of a striker reportedly valued at around £100 million before the injuries started to pile up.
Of the other three centre-forwards reportedly on West Ham United’s radar back in January, via TBR Football, Jonathan Burkardt is expected to seal a big-money move to Eintracht Frankfurt after firing Mainz into European competition.
Long-time Hammers target Yuri Alberto plans to stay at Corinthians and defend his Golden Boot.
Yuri Alberto’s fellow Brazil international Igor Jesus, meanwhile, is on his way to England. But not the London Stadium.
Photo by Wagner Meier/Getty Images
Photo by Wagner Meier/Getty Images
West Ham United target Igor Jesus explains Nottingham Forest transfer
According to RTI Esporte, West Ham saw an offer rejected by Botafogo for Igor Jesus heading towards the turn of the year. Flash forward to May 2025, and a forward who scored on his Brazil debut last October is on the verge of completing a cut-price £17 million move to Nottingham Forest instead.
Igor Jesus is the most expensive member of a City Ground-bound triumvirate which also includes Botafogo teammates Jair Cunha and Cuiabano.
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“I’m happy for everything I’ve done here for this club. It was a successful journey, for everything I’ve achieved here,” Igor Jesus said when bidding an emotional farewell to Botafogo a few days ago.
“It wasn’t long but I had a successful stint. I’m really happy, especially for the fans’ recognition.
“And the decision I made, I think, is [the realisation] of a dream that I have of playing in a big league. When the opportunity to play in a big championship like the Premier League comes along, you can’t waste it, especially because we don’t know when another opportunity will come along.”
West Ham eye Lucas Stassin as they close in on Burnley’s Josh Brownhill
Such comments appear to suggest that, if West Ham had made a move of their own early in the summer, Igor Jesus was unlikely to have taken a leaf out of Yuri Alberto’s book while turning his nose up at the London Stadium.
While not quite as prolific as his free-scoring compatriot – Yuri Alberto has scored more goals than any other Brazilian since the beginning of 2024 – the mobile, speedy Igor Jesus likens his game to that of Real Madrid superstars Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo.
However, West Ham appear rooted to the spot at present with sales reportedly required before Kyle Macaulay can splash the cash. It feels telling that Josh Brownhill is expected to become West Ham’s first signing this summer.
The midfielder will see his contract with Burnley expire in just over a fortnight’s time.
Other striker targets reportedly include Lazio hitman Valentin ‘Taty’ Castellanos, Norwich City’s Josh Sargent and St Etienne starlet Lucas Stassin.
Stassin describes himself as a mix of Romelu Lukaku and RB Leipzig’s jet-heeled sensation Lois Openda. While a West Ham source told Hammers News that talks have not yet taken place with Lucas Stassin, the Belgium Under-21 international will be a lot more affordable than Castellanos and co following St Etienne’s relegation from France’s top flight.