Money talks in football. And the riches of the Premier League mean even a slightly cash-strapped West Ham United outfit still have the funds to tempt most clubs into cashing in on their prized assets.

Like that snake offering Eve a bite of an accursed apple.

Even the poorer sides in England’s top flight possess the sort of riches most clubs in other leagues across the world can only dream of.

So, while the more expensive centre-forward targets may prove to be out of reach – Italian giants Inter Milan have rejected a £42 million bid already for the much-admired Pio Esposito – rumours surrounding more affordable options are bound to increase as January looms over the horizon.

Hammers News reported in October that West Ham have been ‘offered’ Cruzeiro’s Kaio Jorge by ‘intermediaries’. Sources over in Brazil, though, believe that the Premier League outfit have done their fair share of the legwork too ahead of a potential winter swoop.

Kaio Jorge would prefer to stay at Cruzeiro than join West Ham United

Now, speaking as the Brazilian league season enters the end zone, Kaio Jorge is determined to ensure his focus does not waiver from a make-or-break three game spell. Should they win their game in hand, Cruzeiro can still leapfrog Flamengo and Palmeiras to snatch the Serie A crown from under the noses of their rivals.

Even if the title eludes him, there should still be a spot in the history books awaiting Kaio Jorge. With 21 goals from 32 games, he is three clear at the top of the Golden Boot rankings.

“To be honest, I’m not even thinking about [the transfer rumours]. I hope to be playing in the Copa Libertadores here. But that’s for the board to decide,” a bullish Kaio Jorge says. “I leave it in their hands to define the next step.

Who would you pick to replace Niclas Fullkrug at West Ham?

“[Golden Boot rival Giorgian] de Arrascaeta is on fire, but I’m very calm about it. If I’m meant to be the top scorer, I will be. To be honest, I really want to try and win the league. Every opportunity I get, I’m treating it like it’s my last.”

Should Cruzeiro opt to cash in, this will be Kaio Jorge’s last chance to end Cruzeiro’s eleven-year wait for a Serie A crown. But, while the Brazil international accepts that it is for the board to decide, he would much rather stick around for at least another year.

Having played only nine league games in three years at Juventus from 2021 to 2024, Kaio Jorge has already been burned once by an opportunity in Europe.

“My heart is very happy here. Today, I am very happy at Cruzeiro,” Jorge adds in a clear riposte to West Ham’s reported interest. “Football is dynamic, full of opportunities. I hope to continue scoring goals and stay for a long time.

“If ‘Pedrinho’ [president Pedro Laurenco] wants to renew, we will sit down and talk. I’m very happy and it’s a source of pride to score goals wearing this shirt.”

Niclas Fullkrug can leave but only if West Ham replace him

Hammers News have been told that Pedro, another Brazil international marksman who represents current league leaders Flamengo, is another who has been presented as an opportunity for the London Stadium outfit.

Should West Ham cut their losses on Niclas Fullkrug in January?

“I think it might make sense to make a change.

“Many would probably agree that Niclas is a classic penalty-area striker – strong in the air, physically powerful, able to shield the ball – basically made for the Premier League. [But] in retrospect, you have to say the transfer didn’t work. There’s no sugar-coating it.

“Time and again, just when you thought, ‘now he’s coming, now he’ll show England it wasn’t just a good Euro and then nothing afterwards’, another injury came. And that’s a shame.

“He’s had a bit of negative momentum and also some bad luck” – agent Thorsten Wirth

Clearly, the West Ham fans are dreaming of an Ivan Toney. An experienced, Premier League-proven goalscorer who could waltz through the front door and immediately drag the Hammers away from the relegation zone.

The chances are, though, that West Ham may have to think outside the box and cast their net a little wider as they look to end that long-running striker ‘curse’.

Niclas Fullkrug, the latest big-money number nine to flop in claret and blue, is likely to depart at some point in 2026. Whether that means January, or the summer, only time will tell.

West Ham are willing to sell Fullkrug, albeit for a substantial fee and only when they have a replacement lined up.