FC Bayern is apparently on the lookout for reinforcements for its center-forward position. According to recent reports, the Munich club is considering Kaio Jorge of Cruzeiro. The 24-year-old Brazilian has once again made a case for a return to Europe with strong performances in his home country.
Although Bayern signed Ismael Saibari—a true all-around offensive player—this past summer, the club appears to be continuing to scout the transfer market in search of a forward.
According to information from fussball-news.de, Bayern are said to have sent scouts to Brazil to personally observe Kaio Jorge during his appearances for Cruzeiro.
In Munich, he would be of particular interest as an additional option behind Harry Kane. A true alternative at the center-forward position would give Vincent Kompany more options for rotation and managing player workload.
Kaio Jorge has turned heads this season with 16 goals and two assists in 38 competitive matches. As a result, the former Juventus player has once again caught the attention of numerous other European clubs.
Bayern isn’t the only club interested
Should Bayern actually make a serious move for Kaio Jorge, they face stiff competition. Bayer Leverkusen is also said to have sent scouts to Brazil. Benfica Lisbon, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, AC Milan, and Fiorentina are also keeping tabs on the forward.
Things could get particularly serious with Benfica. The Portuguese club is said to have Kaio Jorge high on its wish list and could begin transfer talks as early as this winter.
Zenit St. Petersburg has also shown interest in the Brazilian. The Russian club is said to have been willing to pay around 30 million euros for Kaio Jorge last summer. However, the forward turned down a move to Russia.
Instead, his preference is reportedly to make the move to Europe once again. That is precisely what could make FC Bayern an attractive option in principle. However, there are currently no concrete negotiations between the Munich club, Cruzeiro, or the player himself.
Cruzeiro is asking for up to 45 million euros for Kaio Jorge
The biggest hurdle to a potential transfer to Bayern is likely to be the price anyway. Kaio Jorge is under contract with Cruzeiro until the end of 2030. Consequently, the Brazilian club is in a strong negotiating position.
According to information from fussball-news.de, Cruzeiro is asking for around 40 to 45 million euros for its striker. His current market value, however, is estimated at 25 million euros.
Juventus Turin also plays a role in the high asking price. When they sold the forward to Brazil, the Italians secured a share of any potential future resale. Cruzeiro is therefore unlikely to be interested in letting Kaio Jorge go for less than his value.
On the field, the 1.82-meter-tall forward certainly has some intriguing qualities. Kaio Jorge is agile, can hold up the ball with his back to the goal, and consistently looks to finish. He is also already familiar with European soccer from his time at Juventus and Frosinone.
It remains to be seen whether Bayern would actually be willing to spend up to 45 million euros on a backup option behind Kane. The only thing clear so far is that the Munich club is keeping tabs on the Brazilian’s development—and has apparently already had him scouted on-site.