Since being promoted to the Premier League in 2022, Nottingham isn't the only Forest that Evangelos Marinakis has invested in. In that time, they have signed eight players who previously resided in the Amazon's home country, Brazil. Beyond offering plenty of opportunities for rainforest-themed puns, Brazil has been a fruitful hunting ground for Forest in recent years.

The outstanding figure among the list is of course that of centre-back Murillo, whose £12.5 million signature from Corinthians looks like an absolute steal two seasons on. The young defender joined a year after midfielder Danilo signed for £17 million from Palmeiras. Danilo's impact has never been as seismic as Murillo's, but the midfielder played his part in ensuring that Premier League football remained at the City Ground.

Now, just two days into the transfer window, Forest are reportedly "close" to signing a young trio of Brazilians from Botafogo. It's rare that a club would let three players - all of whom are fairly prominent figures - leave in one go, but with the deal potentially being worth over £50 million, Marinakis may be presenting owner John Textor (who also part-owns Lyon and Crystal Palace) with an offer he can't refuse.

Let's dive into why Forest are determined to cut down the Botafogo spine, and plant some new seeds at the City Ground. I'll stop there.

Jair Cunha

Jair Cunha is a centre-back, confident using both feet, and equipped with a great eye for a long ball. Aged just 20, the former Santos man is very much a modern defender. He provided the assist as Botafogo beat his former club 1-0 - a game Neymar was sent off in.

Jair Cunha’s stats for Botafogo against Santos:

90 mins
80 touches
64 passes
7 passes into final third
5 clearances
4 headed clearances
2 blocks
100% aerials won

Another Brazilian defensive monster on our hands, 20 years of age - could prove to be superb business 🇧🇷#NFFC pic.twitter.com/I9jFetkIgu

— Ethan Lamb (@ethanlamb01) June 1, 2025

Cunha also happens to be 6'5", so he is a towering aerial presence too. Should he arrive in England soon, the youngster would have an entire pre-season to train alongside Murillo - who, despite only being three years older would surely be a great mentor after his meteoric rise in the English top flight.

Key Stats

• 88.2% Pass Completion (top 18%)
• 71.1% Long Pass Completion (top 9%)
• 44.37 Carries per 90 (top 17%)
• 72.7% Aerial Duels Won (top 6%)
• 0.35 Challenges Lost per 90 (top 40%)

Data from FBRef. Percentiles compared to positional peers in the 'next 14 leagues' in world football.

Cuiabano

Nuno Espirito Santo may have an absolute gem at left-back in Luis Eduardo "Cuiabano" Soares da Silva. Since joining Botafogo in April 2024, the 22-year-old has produced two goals, three assists and a seat-belt-requiring 44 shot-creating actions from full back.

A little bit on Cuiabano, the left sided Brazilian #NFFC are reported to have signed.

A disclaimer that I'm yet to watch any of his games or footage (this is next week's job!), so this is purely an opinion based on data.

He has played a mix of left back and left wing for… pic.twitter.com/iwxMY0T625

— WT Analysis (@wt_analysis) June 1, 2025

He is renowned for his explosive pace, whipped crosses and his proclivity for an underlapping run. Neco Williams has by no means done a bad job at left back for Forest this season, but there is a good chance Cuiabano comes in and makes that position his own in the coming months,

Key Stats

• 0.25 Goals per 90 (top 1%)
• 1.68 Shots per 90 (top 2%)
• 7.47 Progressive Passes Received per 90 (top 6%)
• 5.41 Crosses per 90 (top 10%)
• 0.41 Attacking Third Tackles per 90 (top 7%)
• 3,73 Tackles + Interceptions per 90 (top 20%)

Data from FBRef. Percentiles compared to positional peers in the 'next 14 leagues' in world football.

As such a hot prospect, Cuiabano will likely set Forest back £20 million. Brighton reportedly had bids of £12 million rejected in May - so Marinakis will be aware that this investment comes with some cost.

Igor Jesus

As much as everyone would love to think that Chris Wood's 20 Premier League goals would be enough for him to remain the main man next season, it does seem unlikely that the 33-year-old will be able to replicate this tally. The Kiwi will probably stick around, but Forest will no doubt need some support in that area of the pitch.

Igor Jesus may play in the same area of the pitch as Forest's towering Kiwi, but that's about as far as comparisons between the two can go. The 24-year-old is a slighter, cuter number nine - much more of a 'typical Brazilian' style forward who prioritises relationist ideas over positional structure. Jesus enjoys roaming into channels, is confident linking up play and dropping deep.

This will all sound like poetry in motion to someone like Morgan Gibbs-White. The Englishman will be hoping to build a close relationship with Jesus - and perhaps find a higher power in doing so.

Key Stats

• 4 G/A in 9 appearances in Brazilian Serie A
• 3.48 Shots per 90 (top 5%)
• 6.77 Progressive Passes Received per 90 (top 16%)
• 2.84 Shot-Creating Actions per 90 (top 14%)
• 2.53 Fouls Drawn per 90 (top 6%)

Data from FBRef. Percentiles compared to positional peers in the 'next 14 leagues' in world football.

QUEM FALA MAL DO IGOR JESUS NÃO ENTENDE NADA DE FUTEBOL!
É O MELHOR CENTROAVANTE DO FUTEBOL BRASILEIRO!!!!
CRAQUE!!! pic.twitter.com/Gs9QGsGTJJ

— Espaço Glorioso (@EspacoGlorioso) May 28, 2025

The forward has also received praise for his relentless engine, and while Nuno doesn't tend to employ a high press, the ability for his striker to constantly be running back and forth could prove fruitful in games against tough opponents. The diversity in skillset between Wood and Jesus could prove a real asset for Forest next season.

As a slightly more established player than the other two, Jesus looks set to cost between £25-30 million. But if he has the skillset to takeover as Forest's main striker in twelve months time, that could well be money well spent.

Each of the three Brazilians offers Forest fans plenty to get excited about, and with them all likely to move at the same time, it should make adapting to a new continent and new club easier for the youngsters. Time will tell whether they'll all find a place in the team.

One thing is certain, Forest's investment in Brazil looks set to continue this summer.