Nottingham Forest’s striker search will be hindered by most Premier League sides looking for the very same profile, with Arsenal opening discussions with one of the Reds’ January targets.
Forest and Arsenal look set to do battle for a number of targets in the summer, with Forest’s interest in Bryan Mbeumo matched by the Gunners.
Arsenal have shortlisted Mbeumo as a target of their own, but will come up against a familiar foe when Edu Gaspar finally takes up a role at the City Ground.
It seems inevitable that Forest target Liam Delap will also be wanted by the majority of the league, but Arsenal are instead focusing on a Brazilian striker who caught the Reds’ eyes back in the winter.
Photo by Andre Ricardo/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images
Photo by Andre Ricardo/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images
Arsenal ‘reopen negotiations’ to sign Igor Jesus
Back in January, Forest put in an offer to sign Igor Jesus from Botafogo in Brazil, but it was said that the 24-year-old was keen to stay put in his home nation.
Arsenal were also aware of his talents, and according to RTI Esporte, Mikel Arteta’s side are ready to try again in the summer.
The report said: “Igor Jesus is once again a target for Arsenal. The English club have repeated the contacts made a few months ago and reopened negotiations with Botafogo. The 24-year-old has been a target of manager Mikel Arteta since the end of 2024.
“Arsenal have made another offer for the striker in recent days. Botafogo, however, have not confirmed the information and say it has not been notified by the team of the striker.”
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At only 24 years old, Jesus will go down in Botafogo history, being part of the squad that brought home the club’s first ever Copa Libertadores in 2024. However, Forest will likely be put off from striking a deal for Jesus given the finances involved.
Igor Jesus has an astronomical release clause in his contract
Forest could beat Roma to sign Alexis Saelemaekers due to the financial strength of Evangelos Marinakis’ club, but even he may not be willing to finance a move for Jesus.
The Brazilian, who has scored three goals in eight games this season, has a release clause in his contract that will make the Forest owners’ eyes water.
🔥⚫⚪ Igor Jesus scored the final goal in @Botafogo's impressive First Leg win last week!
🏆 Can the Brazilian side close out the tie tonight and seal a first trip to the Final? pic.twitter.com/rj58i31aJk
— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@TheLibertadores) October 30, 2024
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The report continued: “Igor Jesus has a million-dollar termination fee to leave Botafogo. The stipulated value is 100 million euros.”
Calculated at £84m, Jesus would become Forest’s most expensive transfer by quite some distance. Of course, there would be negotiations to reduce the cost of the deal, but even at half of the release clause, he looks to be an option not worth exploring.
Arsenal may look to negotiate, but other options would improve the Forest squad for a much more reasonable fee.