After a miserable start to the Premier League season, West Ham United are certainly leaving nothing to chance regarding the future of Jarrod Bowen.
Hammers News were informed last week that West Ham could trigger a clause in Bowen’s current deal. One which would potentially keep him at the London Stadium until the summer of 2031, when the captain is in his mid-30s and well into the autumn of his career.
Over in Brazil, meanwhile, West Ham United’s pursuit of a new centre-forward has Cruzeiro taking a similar approach regarding their own talismanic forward.
Like Bowen, Kaio Jorge has no plans to leave his current club anytime soon.
Not with the World Cup on the horizon, and a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad on the line. With Jorge in the form of his life back home, the one-time Juventus youngster is not willing to risk his prospects with a mid-season move to a league he does not know.
Cruzeiro plan to extend the contract of West Ham United-linked Kaio Jorge
A teammate of Lucas Paqueta’s with the Selecao, Jorge made it clear to Caze TV back in September that the Hammers would be barking up the wrong tree.
“I really want to stay at Cruzeiro,” the 23-year-old said. “Everyone knows that, that I’m very happy here.
“Right now, I’m not thinking about going abroad, despite the speculation. An offer should come in soon, but I hope to stay here for a long time.”
Music to the ears of his current employers.
ESPN Brazil now report that Cruzeiro are looking into extending his contract, while rewarding their star man with a pay rise. He and the club’s bosses are expected to discuss terms – and potentially put pen to paper – after the Brazilian Serie A season comes to an end in December.
“We are calm. He has a contract until 2028,” Pedro Lourenco said a few weeks ago. “We’ll only talk next year [about an extension but with regards to his future] we are calm.”
Kaio Jorge, who had a difficult spell in Italy with Serie A giants Juventus between 2021 and 2024, has scored 20 goals in 32 matches for Cruzeiro this season. Perhaps this is a case of ‘once bitten, twice shy’. A striker who has had a bad experience this side of the Atlantic before, and now wants to stay where he is comfortable.
Kaio Jorge was likened to Neymar and Roberto Firmino, among others, in his early days in Brazil. Interestingly, he is just one of three exciting young Brazilian forwards under consideration for a move to the London Stadium.
It was RTI Esporte, meanwhile, who reported that the 2023 Conference League winners were weighing up a £22 million offer in the New Year.
Hammers eye Endrick of Real Madrid with Jarrod Bowen talks planned
While West Ham plan to extend Bowen’s legacy in East London, Claret and Hugh say that Nuno Espirito Santo is eyeing up Vitor Roque. Now at Palmeiras, Roque – like Kaio Jorge – returned to South America after a difficult spell in Europe with Barcelona and Real Betis.
Hammers News can confirm that West Ham are admirers of Real Madrid starlet Endrick, too. Spanish publication Sport have since claimed that West Ham have approached the La Liga giants regarding a potential loan deal.
Back to Bowen, whoever their centre-forward is come 2026, the captain will be holding down his usual spot on the right-wing for the foreseeable future.
“Bowen is not for sale, it really is that simple,” a source close to the club explains.
“The owners personally met him and did the new deal with him for the seven-year contract, with an option for another year, so he would end his career at West Ham United.
“The club are confident that, given time, Nuno will improve results.”
