---
title: "Emersom Thome reveals West Ham were scouting Gabriel Jesus"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2017/05/11/emersom-thome-reveals-west-ham-scouting-gabriel-jesus/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Michael Oliver"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2017-05-11T11:44:48Z"
modified: "2017-05-11T11:44:48Z"
---

# Emersom Thome reveals West Ham were scouting Gabriel Jesus

One of West Ham’s (unpopular) gimmicks is scouring the Central and South American markets for some lesser-known talents.

Who could forget Brian Montenegro, a loan signing from Uruguayan side Deportivo Maldonado in 2011. The striker made just one appearance for the club. The Hammers also signed Jonathan Calleri from the same club on a similar loan deal which, it’s fair to say, hasn’t really gone as planned.

Club scout Emerson Thomé spends the majority of his time in South America keeping his finger on the pulse and recommending talents for the Hammers to try and sign.

One player he had his eye on was Gabriel Jesus, Manchester City’s new €32m striker.

Back when the 20-year-old was turning out for Palmeiras, Thomé came across the forward when he was actually making a check on an unnamed Argentine player.

“I was in Argentina in that game between Rosário and Palmeiras, and Gabriel Jesus already gave the impression of being a natural talent,” Thomé told [ESPN Brasil](https://espn.uol.com.br/noticia/693330_primeiro-brasileiro-do-chelsea-virou-olheiro-de-rival-sonhou-com-gabriel-jesus-e-indicou-ex-flu-sensacao).

“He caught my attention, he had all the physical and technical qualities for the Premier League, but he was too expensive.”

The likes of Manchester United, Juventus, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich were all chasing the Brazilian striker before he agreed a move to Manchester City.

West Ham could do with a striker of Jesus’ quality, and hopefully, they can find one in the summer. I wouldn’t put your money on it, though.