West Ham United Make Official £34m Bid for Brazilian Striker Igor Jesus
West Ham United have taken a significant step towards bolstering their attacking options by making an official £34m bid for Brazilian striker Igor Jesus. According to reports from RTI Esporte, the Hammers have submitted a £30m offer plus £4m in potential add-ons for the 23-year-old forward.
The move comes as West Ham seek to address their striking woes, with Niclas Fullkrug struggling to adapt to the intensity of Premier League football and Michail Antonio, at 34, unable to shoulder the burden alone. Igor Jesus, who has impressed with his goal-scoring exploits in the UAE with Shabab Al-Ahli Club, has emerged as a prime target for the East London club.
However, concerns have been raised about Igor Jesus’ unproven track record in the Premier League or European football. His statistics in Brazil, where he has played for Coritiba Foot Ball Club and Botafogo, have been underwhelming, with just eight goals and four assists in 27 games for Botafogo since joining in July.
Despite these reservations, West Ham’s bid for Igor Jesus represents a significant investment in their attacking department. The club’s hierarchy, including director of football Tim Steidten and head coach Julen Lopetegui, will be hoping that the Brazilian striker can replicate his success in the UAE and provide a much-needed boost to the team’s goal-scoring capabilities.