Botafogo respond as West Ham United make £35m Igor Jesus bid
West Ham United have had a £35million bid for Igor Jesus rejected by Botafogo, according to RTI Esporte.
The Brazilian outlet reported via their website on 23 November that the Irons offered £30m plus £5m in bonuses for the striker, only for Botafogo to turn it down without hesitation.
Botafogo are aware of interest from Arsenal, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Tottenham, but have placed a “non-negotiable” status on Jesus, who can, therefore, only be bought for his £83.2m [€100m] release clause.
West Ham transfer plans dead in water after Igor Jesus rejection
The Hammers need to sign a new striker in January, with Michail Antonio and Danny Ings scoring just two goals between them so far this season and Niclas Fullkrug struggling with his fitness.
A move for Jesus makes sense, considering he is just 23 years old and has bagged eight goals and three assists in 26 games for Botafogo since joining them from Shabab Al-Ahli in July.
However, those plans are now dead in the water as Botafogo are determined to retain his services beyond the January transfer window and the release clause is far too steep.
Therefore, West Ham have to quickly turn their attention elsewhere if they want to snap up an efficient striker for the second half of the season.
Youssef En-Nesyri has notably emerged as a target for the East London outfit in recent days, with Julen Lopetegui keen on a reunion with the former Sevilla star [The Sunday People].
The Morocco international is reportedly available on loan despite only joining Fenerbahce in the summer.
In other West Ham news, Henry Winter has grilled Lopetegui after what he has seen from the Irons this season.
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