Nottingham Forest are looking to strengthen their connections with Brazilian football, not only through Evangelos Marinakis’ reported attempts to add a new club to his stable, but also by adding not one – but two players from the domestic league.
That’s according to UOL who say Forest are one of five Premier League clubs who have ‘started to move behind the scenes’ in the search for a top striker in the January transfer window. The report says Botafogo’s Igor Jesus and Corinthians’ Yuri Alberto are in the frame for the likes of Forest, Southampton, and West Ham.
However, the story goes on to say Forest have gone a step further than their rivals and ‘sought information’ about the pair and been told they’ll need to pay more than €20million for either player.
Jesus is a 23-year-old forward who is a mainstay of the side which is set to win the Brazilian title and who has scored 25 goals in 2024 – but only returned to his homeland in July after several years with Shabab Al Ahli in the UAE. Since then he has scored five times in 22 league matches. Everton and Wolves have also been connected with a player who is under contract until December 2027.
Yuri Alberto’s deal also lasts for another three years – and was the subject of interest from the Hammers and Saints in the summer – although according to Trivela Forest are seen as the option that has ‘shown the most interest’ in his future, while Corinthians intend to go to any lengths to keep him until 2025. That said, Trivela also say they could be tempted to open talks for an offer in the region of € 25m.
The 23-year-old started out at Santos, moved to Internacional, had a period with Zenit St Petersburg before being loaned back and then sold to Corinthians. He has one Brazil cap, against Morocco in 2023 and scored 30 in 56 matches this season, with his team in seventh. He is currently joint-top scorer in his league.
What cannot be disputed is Forest’s need for depth up front, they spent most of the summer trying to bolster Nuno’s options, even as Chris Wood continues to shoulder the goalscoring burden. Taiwo Awoniyi seems to have recovered his fitness but is being used off the bench.
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