Nuno Espirito Santo
The summer transfer window has opened, and Nottingham Forest are making decisive moves to bolster their squad for the upcoming 2025/26 season. With European football on the agenda, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side is reportedly close to securing a triple transfer deal with Brazilian club Botafogo. The potential signings include striker Igor Jesus, center-back Jair Cunha, and left-back Cuiabano, with a particular focus on Jesus.
Nuno Espirito Santo said: “His good physical ability has given him the edge over other potential Brazilian targets the Reds looked at, such as Matheus Nascimento and Marcos Leonardo. Jesus’ tactical intelligence is also said to have caught Forest’s eye and gave the impression he could fit in with head coach Nuno’s style of play. The club also reportedly highlighted the 24-year-old’s excellent attitude and work ethic and anticipate there is potential for him to improve further.”
The Brazilian publication Trivela reported that Nottingham Forest had evaluated Igor Jesus, emphasizing his physical prowess and tactical intelligence, which align well with Nuno Espirito Santo’s playing style. The club is optimistic about Jesus’s potential for further development, and his work ethic has been a standout feature. Arsenal and Fulham have also shown interest in Jesus, but Botafogo’s owner, John Textor, preferred to negotiate with Forest due to their willingness to pay a significant portion of the transfer fee upfront.
Andrey Santos said: “It was a very difficult moment in my career – the beginning at Chelsea, with loans and no games at Forest, especially because I was very young. I was always ready to train, always fit to play, but unfortunately, I didn’t get an opportunity there with the coach at Forest.”
Reflecting on past experiences, former Forest loanee Andrey Santos shared his challenges during his stint at the club, where he struggled for game time under then-manager Steve Cooper. Despite his readiness and fitness, opportunities were scarce, leading him to a successful loan spell at Strasbourg, where he impressed with 10 goals in 32 Ligue 1 appearances.
In addition to transfer activities, Nottingham Forest’s Under-18 team, led by Tom Mallinson, is set to travel to Canada for the Kamloops Cup, providing young players with valuable international exposure. The team will compete against Canadian sides Cavalry and Kamloops United, with the matches open to supporters.
As Nottingham Forest continue their preparations for the new season, the focus remains on completing key transfers early to ensure new signings are integrated into the squad ahead of pre-season. This proactive approach mirrors last year’s successful strategy and aims to position the club strongly for both domestic and European competitions.
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