Nottingham Forest are reportedly closing in on the signing of Botafogo forward Igor Jesus.
Although Forest have missed out on Champions League qualification, featuring in next season's Conference League will still make them an attractive option in the transfer market.
The East Midlands outfit already have some high-profile players in their ranks and that will only increase as the summer window progresses.
According to Globo Esporte, Forest have presented Botafogo with a lucrative offer to sign Jesus over the coming weeks.
© Imago
What deal is on the table?
The report alleges that Forest are willing to pay a €20m (£16.81m) fee to get a deal over the line for the Brazil international.
Jesus, a versatile attacker, has contributed 15 goals and six assists from his 54 appearances for Botafogo, who won the Brasileiro title in 2024.
A total of five goals and one assist have come in 14 top flight and Copa Libertadores matches this year, and Botafogo are ready to insist that Jesus remains at the club for the upcoming Club World Cup.
Nevertheless, it is stated that the club are prepared to give the green light to a transfer and that the 24-year-old's representatives are also ready to close the deal.
That said, the report adds that Botafogo will bide their time in the short term in the event that they receive a better offer from another club.
© Imago
What would Jesus bring to Forest?
When Chris Wood is the undisputed first choice down the centre of Nuno Espirito Santo's attack, any striker arriving at the City Ground this summer knows that they will be backup for that position.
Jesus has been operating in that role for Botafogo, yet he is capable of playing in a range of roles across the final third.
That is a trait that Nuno has preferred when adding to his attack in recent transfer windows, the likes of Jota Silva and Ramon Sosa valuable signings even if they were only backup to the first-choice front four.
However, providing that Forest come through the Conference League playoffs, they will need extra quality to cope with the demands that European football brings.
Darren Plant
