Nottingham Forest have been keeping tabs on Igor Jesus due to his contributions in **Botafogo**’s domestic double in Brazil.
They achieved their first Copa Libertadores in their history at the end of last year and lifted the top division trophy, which had evaded them for almost three decades.
24-year-old Jesus has won admirers by expertly leading the line at Botafogo and with his 4 appearances for Brazil, which came his way in World Cup qualifying in 2024.
He even scored against Chile on his senior national team debut, silencing some sceptics who placed him lower down the pecking order among the competitive array of players Brazil boast in attacking areas.
Heroics in the USA
The ClubWorld Cup**** has had its critics due to player welfare, unrelenting schedules, and unreasonable amounts of different competitions, especially from those in Europe.
However, for players like **Nottingham Forest**’s latest addition, it is a chance to get yourself into the shop window and build some understanding among supporters. In the case of Jesus, it has also influenced the developing attention surrounding this transfer.
The Brazilian striker has been the player of the match in both games at the Club World Cup group stage.
He will play a vital role in ensuring Atletico Madrid do not snatch away knockout qualification from Botafogo by beating them by two goals tonight in California, albeit only if PSG claim three points.
In the opening match of this demanding group consisting of Champions League winners PSG and European giants Atletico Madrid, Jesus leapt above his defender and powered home a header against Seattle Sounders on their home soil in Washington, exemplifying his aerial prowess.
When the Copa Libertadores champions played PSG, Jesus nutmegged Willian Pacho before releasing his shot early, and the deflection proceeded to wrong-foot Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Botafogo are bucking the trend of the European dominion inextricably attached to the Club World Cup.
Although they will likely encounter a challenge too large to overcome, Nottingham Forest and the Premier League now have an invaluable insight into one of South America’s most exciting exports, as Igor Jesus is all but confirmed to be Trentside next season.
Brazilian trio set to join Forest
As reported by Fabrizio Romano, The Tricky Trees have finalised a triple swoop for Botafogo trio Igor Jesus, Jair Cunha, and Cuiabano, which would cost Forest 35 million euros.
While Jesus and Cunha are sealed, left-back Cuiabano is still in the process of completion, and he has been vying with the vastly experienced Alex Telles for a place throughout the season.
20-year-old Cunha made the move from Santos to Botafogo this year, and his arrival is not too dissimilar to **Murillo**’s acquisition from Corinthians.
He may not be an immediate and regular replacement for either of the two established centre-backs, however, Nuno can gradually deviate from a set in stone starting eleven, especially with mid-week European football to play.
Cunha was at the forefront of his side’s clean sheet against Les Rouge-et-Bleu, and Cuiabano's short cameo in the match, despite his attacking mindset on the left, showed how he can stay disciplined by restricting the late PSG onslaught.
The Portuguese collective Nuno built at Wolves could be resumed at his current post, given that he has recently signed a new three year deal at Forest.
A trio of signings from a single club is rare in the Premier League, with the recipient club often needing to splash serious cash and the selling club often needing to be willing to offload those players.
The three Brazilians can work well with Nuno and his staff without significant language barriers, and integrate more smoothly as a result, after their duties in the United States are fulfilled.
This Portuguese and Brazilian influx, Nuno has carried along with him from Wolves and now to Nottingham Forest, includes those who make decisions off the pitch.
Hunt for a striker
Head of Recruitment Pedro Ferreira was appointed last summer. Evangelos Marinakis was incentivised by his 17 years of experience in the recruitment department at Benfica and the major profits earned through Enzo Fernandez, Darwin Nunez and Ederson.
Forest have kicked on ever since his arrival. Elliot Anderson and Nikola Milenkovic turned out to be selections precisely matched to Nuno’s intentions last season.
The Brazilians from Botafogo have surely been picked out to fit the mould of Nuno’s system. Igor Jesus looks accustomed to flourishing when his team are less known for neat possession, but can pivot his game to cater to just that.
With Forest’s defensive block and lethal transitional play frustrating teams from top to bottom last term, Nuno’s system may also need to pivot with managers gaining knowledge.
Acquiring a striker of Jesus’ profile and increasing calibre could prove a shrewd signature, which strictly relates to what the manager wants and how the club can move forward in the Premier League.
Forest have gone against the grain in steering clear of European targets with the striker position, which is currently hot property for several clubs in the top flight.
Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal have identified a so-called ‘out-and-out’ marksman to be the missing piece of the puzzle with Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko and Hugo Ekitike being the consistent names floating around.
Forest attempted to dip into this market close to home in January when their £22 million bid for Yoane Wissa was turned away by Brentford, who deemed the valuation for the Frenchman much greater.
Despite **Chris Wood**’s goalscoring form which eventually saw him reach 20 Premier League goals with transfer target Wissa just one behind, The Reds have jumped on the striker bandwagon with the arrival of Jesus.
Yet, it seems more justified and thoroughly thought about compared to the futile bid for Wissa, who is still unlikely to view a Nottingham Forest proposal as a first-choice.
**Thomas Frank**’s move to Tottenham Hotspur could provoke Wissa to follow suit and join the Champions League side, especially after four seasons together at The Bees.
Chris Wood’s contract expires in the summer of 2027 and it will be a tall order to supply the same numbers as he did last campaign.
27-year-old Taiwo Awoniyi also has two years left on his contract and could be tempted by more regular football at another club if the right offer presented itself to him and Forest.
Igor Jesus was largely unheard of when reports surfaced that Forest were tracking the striker, but now fans have been given a taste of what he’s made of.
He could deliver the cutting-edge in front of goal to give Nuno’s men stability across the league and cup competitions. It would be another box ticked while his involvement may take time to translate into goals.
However, this signing could have more promise than most, since his teammates are accompanying him to Nottingham, and he will be greeted by a Portuguese coach.
He could present more than merely squad depth, and be the breakout star of next season's Premier League, akin to his performances right now in the USA.