Nottingham Forest are still waiting to see a real return on their investment in Jair Cunha, with the young defender yet to establish himself since arriving from Brazil.
The 20-year-old was signed after a strong spell in Brazil, where he quickly became a starter and showed promise as a right-sided centre-back.
At the time, Nottingham Forest were adding depth and future options to their defence. However, his first months in England have been more about adaptation than impact.
He has struggled to break into the rotation and has often been left out of matchday squads.
Limited Nottingham Forest minutes but solid output
Jair Cunha’s numbers help explain why clubs continue to track him. He has played eight matches this season, with 447 minutes on the pitch. That is limited exposure, but his defensive output stands out.
He’s registered 28 clearances, nine tackles and six interceptions. More importantly, he has not been dribbled past once in those appearances. For a young defender adjusting to Premier League demands, those figures suggest control and good positioning.
That profile explains why interest from Brazil has remained active, even without regular minutes at Nottingham Forest.
A new Brazilian side enter the picture
After earlier approaches from Flamengo and even a possible return to his former club Botafogo failed to progress, a new contender has emerged.
According to local insider outlet Cruzeiro 365, Cruzeiro have identified Jair Cunha as a strong option. Their scouting department rates the Nottingham Forest player highly and has already presented his name to manager Artur Jorge and his staff.
At this stage, there is no formal offer. However, the move follows a clear pattern. Brazilian clubs see an opportunity in a young player who is not getting minutes in England but still carries strong potential.
Details and next steps
Jair Cunha’s stance has been consistent. He wants to stay in England and build his place at Nottingham Forest. That remains his priority, despite the growing interest from Brazil.
Still, Forest may have a decision to make if the situation does not change. A loan could offer regular minutes and help his development. Cruzeiro now join the list of clubs ready to move if that door opens.
Also, Cruzeiro is not a stranger to Premier League clubs, as they struck a deal to loan Luis Sinisterra from Bournemouth last summer – even though it did not quite work out.
But for now, nothing is advanced. But the story keeps evolving, and Nottingham Forest will need to decide how long they can keep him waiting for opportunities.