Nottingham Forest and Arsenal are locking horns in the transfer market this summer, with Evangelos Marinakis looking to pip Mikel Arteta’s side to one of his preferred targets.
Like a lot of the Premier League, Forest are prioritising a striker in the summer and are looking at very similar targets to the Gunners.
The main one is Forest and Arsenal’s shared interest in Bryan Mbeumo, but the Cameroonian could still stay at Brentford, as Thomas Frank was positive about keeping Mbeumo.
Forest and Arsenal are looking at Francisco Trincao as well, but Marinakis could deal further damage to Arteta if he can convince a shared striker target to pick the City Ground instead.
Photo by Daniel Castelo Branco/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Photo by Daniel Castelo Branco/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Nottingham Forest re-enter the race for Brazilian star Igor Jesus
With a striker wanted in January, too, Forest made a bid for Igor Jesus of Botafogo, but the 24-year-old wasn’t interested in the move.
Also interested in January, Arsenal have reopened negotiations for Jesus, but a report from GE Globo has suggested that Forest are looking to re-enter the race themselves.
The report said: “Igor Jesus is once again in the sights of Premier League clubs. Nottingham Forest, who the striker rejected in January, have returned to the scene, but have now faced competition from two London rivals: Arsenal and Fulham.
“There are no offers yet. In recent weeks, a member of Igor’s staff was in England for meetings with clubs, who signalled interest and explored the financial situation.
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“Igor remains happy and identified with Alvinegro, but understands that he cannot waste an opportunity to play in the Premier League. Botafogo, in turn, needs to make money and has the 24-year-old athlete as one of its main assets.”
How much Igor Jesus would cost Nottingham Forest
The Brazilian striker remains keen on playing in the Club World Cup with Botafogo this summer, but the report did give Forest a clue of how much he would cost once the tournament is over.
The report said: “If in January, the proposal of R$185 million could not even be analysed by Botafogo due to the athlete’s desire to play in the Club World Cup and have a longer history at a club with which he identified, the scenario is different now.”
Working out at just over £24m, Jesus would be a cheaper alternative to some of the other strikers the Reds have been looking at. Liam Delap would cost Forest £30m, but of course, he comes with Premier League pedigree.
Marinakis has a decision to make, then. If the club truly believes in Igor Jesus’ abilities, signing him over targets like Delap could end up being a stroke of genius.