Nottingham Forest’s transfer business looks to be hotting up, with Evangelos Marinakis now submitting a proposal to sign a young talent with high potential.
Focus has been on Forest closing in on Igor Jesus as the first signing of the summer, but Marinakis is looking to be ready to capitalise on other opportunities before the window even opens.
Marinakis is ready to invest heavily in transfers after Forest qualified for the UEFA Conference League, something that the club hopes to build on rather than bask in the success of.
With that in mind, the Forest owner is looking to act as quickly as he has with Jesus to secure the services of another top talent from South America.
Photo by JUAN BARRETO/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by JUAN BARRETO/AFP via Getty Images
Nottingham Forest submit bid for Botafogo defender Jair Cunha
Alongside the Jesus deal, it was suggested that Forest will attempt a triple-swoop for Botafogo talents, with 20-year-old defender Jair Cunha at the top of Marinakis’ wishlist.
He’s not just an admirer of Jair, though, as according to GE Globo, Forest have sent an official proposal to Botafogo regarding the purchase of the centre-back.
The report said: “After Igor Jesus, Botafogo received another proposal from Nottingham Forest—this time, for the recently signed 20-year-old defender Jair. The club is studying the numbers.
“The amounts were not disclosed, but they are higher than those paid by Botafogo to Santos at the beginning of the year. He was acquired by Alvinegro in February for R$89 million.”
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Botafogo acquired Jair for £11.5 million back in January, but his talent has already caught the eye, so they will be looking for a respectable sum.
Regardless of the price, though, Jair is looking like a real prospect at centre-back, potentially the perfect long-term partner for Murillo.
Jair Cunha has starred at a young age for Botafogo
As already stated, Jair is a new addition to the Botafogo squad after joining from Santos in January, but he has already looked imperious in his 16 appearances in the black and white stripes.
Statistic Jair Cunha for Botafogo
Pass accuracy 85.8%
Tackles won % 78.6%
Aerial duels won % 78.9%
Dispossessed per 90 0.33
Standing at six feet five, Jair already has the height to dominate in the Premier League, but this hasn’t stopped him from developing the talent on the ball that may separate him from other giant centre-backs.
His pass accuracy is similar to Murillo’s while the pair also very rarely lose possession of the ball, traits that could make the Brazilian pair an incredible partnership in the future.
Botafogo owner John Textor expects rival bids for Jesus up front, but Forest will be hoping to secure the services of Jair before the rest of Europe realises his vast potential.