Aston Villa Eye January Move For 24-Year-Old Striker: Should The Midlands Club Sign Him? | OneFootball

Aston Villa have renewed their interest in Cruzeiro striker Kaio Jorge for the January transfer window, according to Bolavip Brazil, relayed by Sport Witness. The 24-year-old has produced 43 goals in his last 86 club appearances, with 17 goals in 40 matches this year after scoring 26 in 46 last season. That record has put him on European radars.

Villa first watched Jorge last year during scouting work around Alysson Edward, who later joined from Cruzeiro, yet no bid followed. West Ham tried to take the forward in January, though that move collapsed. Villa have not opened formal negotiations, while Milan, Benfica, Fiorentina and Bayer Leverkusen remain interested, with Bayern Munich monitoring the situation too.

Cruzeiro recently renewed Jorge’s contract, strengthening its hand before January and leaving the Brazilian club well placed to demand a fee. Reports elsewhere have placed that valuation around €40m-€45m, although Bolavip’s report does not state a confirmed asking price.

Should Aston Villa sign Kaio Jorge?

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – APRIL 04: Kaio Jorge of Cruzeiro reacts during a match between Sao Paulo and Cruzeiro as part of Brasileirao 2026 at MorumBIS Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Miguel Schincariol/Getty Images)

Aston Villa need to act because the attack has lost its reference point. Ollie Watkins completed a £51m move to Al-Hilal on 30 August, ending a six-year spell in which he became Villa’s record Premier League scorer with 91 goals. That exit followed Jhon Durán’s departure, so the squad has lost two proven central options. Tammy Abraham’s injury problems leave Emery with little room for error.

Jorge’s numbers give this pursuit substance. In 2025, he scored 26 goals and supplied seven assists in 46 appearances, including 21 goals and seven assists in 33 Série A matches. This year, he has 17 goals in 40 games, while his league return stands at seven goals in 1,423 minutes across 22 matches. Those figures suggest repeatable output rather than one hot spell.

His profile matters. The 24-year-old offers a centre-forward reference, can carry a scoring burden and arrives with experience of matches in Brazil. Carlo Ancelotti’s preliminary Brazil squad included Jorge before the 9 September final selection, showing that his form had reached the international set-up, although he missed the final 26-man squad.

Villa have a clear reason to take the risk after Watkins’ sale. Waiting could leave Emery short of a striker again, while paying £35m-plus for a player producing at this level would make more sense than gambling on another stopgap. Aston Villa should pursue him before Benfica, Milan or Bayern turn interest into action.