Nottingham Forest transfer state of play: Cunha latest, new £25m striker on radar and ex-Spurs star targeted

January 28, 2025 Rules Anderson FOOTBALL 0

Nottingham Forest transfer state of play: Cunha latest, new £25m striker on radar and ex-Spurs star targeted

Nottingham Forest transfer state of play: Cunha latest, new £25m striker on radar and ex-Spurs star targeted

The latest updates on Nottingham Forest’s transfer situation, including news on bids for Matheus Cunha and Igor Jesus.

Nottingham Forest’s hopes of hanging on to a place in the Premier League’s top four – or even mounting an improbable title challenge – may have taken a hit with last weekend’s 5-0 defeat to Bournemouth, but Nuno Espirito Santo is still hoping to bolster their chances by making a splash in the final week of the January transfer window.

The search for a striker remains a top priority with Yoane Wissa and Matheus Cunha among the targets, with a Brazilian forward also now heavily linked with a move to the City Ground – but how is the hunt for a fresh forward going, and what other moves might be made for the transfer deadline on 3 February?

We’ve gathered all of the latest information on Forest’s transfer dealings together to make it easier to track the likely comings and goings over the next few days.

Jesus and Cunha top targets in striker search

Signing a new forward to give Chris Wood some support remains the number one priority over the next few days, but Forest are finding it difficult to get a deal over the line. A bid for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa which was worth up to £22m was rebuffed, and with that deal seemingly dead in the water the club have turned their attention to other targets.

Wolves striker Cunha is one option after talks over a new contract at the Molinuex stalled amid criticism of the player’s attitude by his own manager, Vitor Pereira, but the club continue to insist that the Brazilian is not for sale despite interest from a number of teams.

Sky Sports reported last week that Forest were preparing a bid for Cunha, but no fee was mentioned and it appears that if any negotiations have taken place, they have not progressed far.

Uncertainty over whether a deal for Cunha can be struck led to Forest making a bid for 23-year-old Brazilian forward Igor Jesus, who plays his club for football for reigning Copa Libertadores champions Botafogo – but the Nottingham Post suggest that Jesus turned down the opportunity to move to England, preferring to continue his career in Brazil.

It is believed that Botafogo were happy to accept the offer of around £25m, so it remains to be seen whether Jesus can be persuaded. As it stands, however, none of Forest’s preferred targets seem likely to move in the next week.

Baena talks goes quiet as former Spurs star enters frame

Last week, there were a number of reports which suggested that Forest were considering triggering the €60m (£51m) release clause of Villarreal winger Álex Baena, a Spanish international star who plays as winger or number ten and whose signature would represent a significant statement of intent.

Talk of a move has gone very quiet, however, with no new updates on Forest’s alleged interest in the 23-year-old as reports suggest that he could be close to joining Atlético Madrid instead.

With another important deal apparently on the rocks, there are rumours which suggest that Forest may have shifted focus to make a move for Sporting winger Marcus Edwards, who came through the youth ranks at Tottenham Hotspur but has since made his name in the Portuguese top flight.

Edwards, who can also play as a number ten, was a regular feature of Ruben Amorim’s title-winning team last season, scoring six goals in 44 matches across all competitions, but has since been dropped from the starting line-up and with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, he could be available at a discount. Portuguese outlet A Bola claims that a bid of just €10m (£8.4m) would be required.

Awoniyi set to stay but departures still possible

One player who had looked likely to leave the City Ground could now stay – Taiwo Awoniyi, who had been linked with a move to West Ham as Graham Potter’s side conduct their own search for a new striker.

West Ham appear to have focussed on other targets, and the 27-year-old Nigerian has himself stated that he wants to remain with Forest as they push for a top four place. As it stands, it looks likely that Awoniyi will remain with the club, although a bid from West Ham remains possible if negotiations elsewhere fall through.

A player more likely to leave is midfielder Lewis O’Brien, who is the subject of interest from multiple Championship clubs – he could join defender Andrew Omobamidele in leaving the City Ground before the transfer window closes.

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