Nottingham Forest and signing Brazilian players share a similar association to eating strawberries and cream at Wimbledon.
The Reds often attack the South American market to look for unpolished gems, and this summer is proving no different.
Igor Jesus is signing for Forest from Botafogo, and that deal will go through pretty quickly once the Club World Cup has finished for the Brazilian champions.
The centre-forward won’t be coming alone, with Forest also signing Jair Cunha, who is a central defender thought to be in the same bracket as Murillo.
Forest are also locked in talks for Cuiabano, and it would appear that the search for South American stars will continue this summer.
Nottingham Forest made enquiry for Cruzeiro striker Kaio Jorge
It’s come to light that perhaps Jesus wasn’t the first choice at Forest this summer.
According to Central Da Toca, Jorge was the subject of an enquiry from Forest shortly after the season had finished, with the Reds contacting the player’s representatives.
Forest offered £13 million for Jorge, but the offer was refused immediately, with Cruzeiro holding out for much more for their star player.
Jorge is valued at around £27 million should he leave this summer, and that’s considerably more than the £17 million that Forest have signed Jesus for.
Jorge has scored 10 goals in 18 matches this season, and naturally, that has led to him becoming the subject of vast interest from a number of European parties.
Kaio Jorge has already had a failed spell in Europe
Juventus signed Jorge from Santos in 2021, but things didn’t work out for him with the Old Lady.
He played just 11 times for the Serie A giants, and in 2024, he moved back to Brazil to sign for Cruzeiro.
It wasn’t as though Juventus didn’t give him time either. He moved to Frosinone on loan for the 2023/24 campaign but managed just three goals and an assist from 22 matches.
That probably highlights where the reservation over the transfer fee came from in Forest’s eyes, even if he’s still got potential at 23-years-old.
Upon signing for Juventus, Jorge was hailed by former Brazil youth coach Guilherme Dalla Dea, who said he ‘resembled Ronaldo’ and called him an ‘absolute talent’ during an interview with Football Italia.
When Juve landed him, he cost less than £3 million and that made his signing well worth the risk.
With his valuation rising considerably given his form at Cruzeiro, Forest clearly don’t value him quite as highly, given his previous form in European football.
Receive a digest of our best Nottingham Forest content each week direct to your mailbox
