Nottingham Forest have completed a huge triple deal with Brazilian club Botafogo worth €35 million (£29.5m) according to Fabrizio Romano. Striker Igor Jesus, centre-back Jair Cunha, and left-back Cuiabano will all join Forest this summer as Nuno Espirito Santo looks to bolster his squad ahead of a first European campaign since 1995.
Nottingham Forest Complete Huge Botafogo Triple Swoop Including ‘Hidden Gem’ Brazilian International
What Do We Know So Far?
Forest have kicked off what promises to be a very busy summer by striking a huge triple deal with Botafogo that will see three players signed in priority positions for a relatively low fee. Striker Igor Jesus will reportedly cost the Tricky Trees €20 million, and the 24-year-old looks the most likely to have an instant impact at the City Ground.
Read More:‘Green Light Needed’ Nottingham Forest Set to Sell Danilo
Having “sealed [the] triple deal”, Forest midfielder Danilo will be given the green light to join French side Olympique Lyon for a fee of just over £20 million. Lyon are owned by John Textor, who also owns Botafogo, and has been a key part of this deal.
Who is Igor Jesus?
24-year-old Igor Jesus first made headlines after scoring a crucial equaliser on his international debut for Brazil in October 2024 against Chile. However, it has been anything but an ordinary journey for the young centre-forward.
After starting his career in his native Brazil with Coritiba, Jesus signed for UAE Pro League side Shabab Al Ahli at just 19 years old, where he spent four seasons. The Brazilian scored 46 goals in 92 games before moving back to his country of birth in 2024 to join Botafogo, where he hit eight goals in 31 games in his first season.
Jesus’s unique journey allowed him to develop his skills away from the spotlight, leading to the striker being hailed as Brazil’s “hidden gem” by FIFA when he received his first international call-up. The 24-year-old is a strong, powerful forward who likes playing on the shoulder of defences, making him an ideal fit for Forest’s counter-attacking style and a useful alternative to the less mobile Chris Wood.
Who is Jair Cunha?
Towering centre-back Jair Cunha only joined Botafogo in February 2025 but has already displayed immense talent in just 17 appearances for the club. The Brazilian U20 international stands at a whopping 6’ 6” tall, making him even taller than Forest’s Nikola Milenkovic, who is arguably the most dominant player in aerial duels in the Premier League.
With just 41 first-team appearances to his name, the 20-year-old will need time to get used to the intensity and physical demands of English football, so it may take a while for him to break into the side. However, Forest will be hopeful that Cunha can replicate the incredible impact of fellow Brazilian centre-back Murillo, who became an instant hit for the Tricky Trees despite being just 21 years old when he arrived.
Who is Cuiabano?
22-year-old left-back Cuiabano will fill an important hole in Nuno’s squad, with both Harry Toffolo and loanee Alex Moreno departing the City Ground in the summer. Cuiabano is an attacking full-back who can also operate on the wing and will provide a more natural option than Neco Williams, who was utilised at left-back last season despite being right-footed.