Nottingham Forest is reportedly considering a move for a new striker in the upcoming January transfer window, though the focus isn’t directly on Chris Wood’s contributions. The New Zealand international has been in solid form, netting 12 goals in the first 20 games of the 2024/25 season. Despite this, the striker situation at Forest remains somewhat precarious. While Wood has been a key figure in their attack, the competition for his spot is thin, and Taiwo Awoniyi, though praised by Jamie Carragher after his recent goal against Wolves, has struggled to find consistent form, having scored only once so far this season.
Given this lack of depth in the forward line, the club may look to strengthen their options with a new striker, particularly one who can provide competition for both Wood and Awoniyi. This has led to increased speculation that Forest could target Igor Jesus, a promising young striker from Brazilian club Botafogo.
The 23-year-old, who has been in superb form for Botafogo, is valued at £21 million and has garnered attention from several Premier League clubs, including Fulham and Ipswich. However, Forest appears to be one of the frontrunners in the race to sign him. Jesus has a strong track record in Brazil, having scored 56 goals in 168 appearances for Botafogo, helping the club win their first-ever Brazilian championship this season. His performances have drawn comparisons to some of the best talents in South America, with some even suggesting that a move to a Premier League club could be on the horizon.
Notably, Arsenal had been linked with Jesus earlier, but the deal faltered due to Botafogo’s reluctance to let him leave on loan, which was the type of move Arsenal had pursued. With the Brazilian club now open to selling Jesus, it opens the door for clubs like Forest to make their move. Despite the interest from other teams, Forest may see this as an opportunity to secure a young, dynamic striker who could fit into their long-term plans.
Jesus represents a profile that Forest’s recruitment team is likely seeking. He’s a young player with a proven goal-scoring record, offering potential upside. However, it’s crucial to note that while Jesus’ arrival would provide depth in the striker position, Forest is unlikely to sign a player who would cause friction within the squad by demanding a starting role immediately. Chris Wood, at 33 years old, is currently performing at a high level and is expected to remain the focal point of the attack. Therefore, any new addition, like Jesus, would need to be someone who could complement the team, offer a different dimension to the attack, and potentially step in when required.
Jesus is still young enough at 23 to develop and adjust to the Premier League. His move to England, if it happens, would likely be viewed as a gradual integration rather than an immediate pressure to deliver results. With Forest’s strong position in the league, the pressure on a new signing might be a little lighter, allowing Jesus the time to prove himself at his own pace. This would be an ideal scenario, as it would give him the chance to adapt to English football without the heavy expectations that come with joining a club in a relegation battle.
Ultimately, this potential move for Igor Jesus underlines Forest’s forward-thinking approach in the transfer market. While Chris Wood remains an integral part of their attack, a young striker with a promising future could provide the club with long-term strength in the forward department. However, it remains to be seen whether Forest will be able to fend off competition from other Premier League sides and secure the signature of the Brazilian talent. Given their current standing in the league and their approach to transfers, this could be one of the more exciting moves to watch as the January window approaches.