🔴 Nottingham Forest’s Brazilian Ambitions: Romulo Says Yes in Bold Summer Push
As Nottingham Forest prepare for their return to European competition in the 2025/26 season, the club is moving swiftly and decisively in the transfer market. There’s a sense of renewed purpose at the City Ground, a belief that after years of yo-yoing between leagues and seasons of survival football, Forest are ready to establish themselves as a Premier League mainstay — and potentially more.
Under Nuno Espírito Santo, Forest have evolved into a more compact, efficient, and tactically disciplined side. But for the club to thrive across the multiple fronts it will face in the coming season — including European nights, domestic cups, and the week-in, week-out grind of the Premier League — significant reinforcements are needed. And the club is targeting the kind of players who can grow with the project.
One of those players appears to be Romulo, a 23-year-old Brazilian striker who plies his trade with Göztepe in Turkey — but not for much longer.
🇧🇷 Romulo: Brazilian Firepower for a Club on the Rise
Reports from CNN Turk claim that Romulo has given a positive response to Forest’s interest and is eager to make the switch to the Premier League. He’s coming off an impressive season in Turkey’s TFF First League (the second tier), where he scored 17 goals and turned heads with his explosive style and sharp finishing.
Despite interest from several clubs across Europe — including Sporting CP, who viewed him as a possible replacement for Viktor Gyökeres — it’s said that Forest’s offer has stood out to Romulo personally. The pull of the Premier League, combined with the chance to join a growing project under a respected manager, appears to be too attractive to turn down.
Forest fans will know that the club has had a long-standing interest in South American talent, particularly Brazilian players. In the last few windows alone, the Reds have looked to the Brazilian market with growing regularity, and the addition of Romulo would continue that trend.
📈 Romulo’s Journey So Far: From Brazil to Europe
Born in São Paulo, Romulo started his professional career in Brazil with Portuguesa Santista, before earning a move to Europe. Göztepe snapped him up as a raw but promising attacker, and the move to Turkey has paid off. In a league often characterized by its physicality and unpredictability, Romulo has adapted quickly and shown a knack for scoring crucial goals.
At 23, he’s at an ideal age for development. His game is still evolving, but he possesses the core attributes that make a modern striker dangerous: pace, anticipation, sharp finishing, and off-the-ball intelligence. His 17-goal haul last season didn’t just come from poaching — he showed he can run the channels, create space, and press defenders into mistakes.
⚽ Style of Play: What Can Romulo Offer Forest?
Romulo is not a traditional No. 9 in the mould of Chris Wood. Instead, he brings a different attacking profile to the squad:
Key Attributes:
Agility and Movement: He’s quick across the ground and makes smart diagonal runs, often dragging defenders out of position.
Finishing: He is clinical inside the box and has a calmness in front of goal that belies his age.
Pressing Work Rate: Romulo is known for his high-intensity pressing, often the first line of defence in transition.
Dribbling in Tight Spaces: He can take on defenders and create shooting opportunities in crowded penalty areas.
He’s the kind of striker who could flourish in a high-tempo counter-attacking system, which Forest often employ under Espírito Santo, particularly against stronger opposition.
Tactically, Romulo would be an ideal fit in a two-striker system, playing off someone like Chris Wood, or as the lone forward in a 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3, supported by runners like Morgan Gibbs-White or Callum Hudson-Odoi.
🔁 Forest’s Changing Attack: From Wood to Jesus to Romulo
Forest’s attacking department is clearly going through an evolution. While Chris Wood enjoyed a superb 2024/25 season — scoring 20 goals across all competitions — he is now 33 years old, and with a full European campaign ahead, it’s unlikely he’ll be able to lead the line every week.
Forest already have Igor Jesus on the way, with the Flamengo forward expected to arrive after the Club World Cup. He’s another Brazilian talent with flair, composure, and attacking versatility. The addition of Romulo would give Forest a three-pronged rotation up front, each offering different qualities:
Chris Wood: Physical, aerial threat, experienced leader
Igor Jesus: Technical, creative, good link-up play
Romulo: Fast, sharp finisher, dangerous in transition
This depth is exactly what Forest need heading into a potentially 50-60 match season.
💼 Transfer Negotiations: Can Forest Get the Deal Done?
While Romulo has reportedly said “yes” to a move, the deal is not yet completed. Forest will need to reach an agreement with Göztepe, who may look to cash in but won’t sell cheaply. The Turkish side understand that Romulo’s stock is rising, especially with clubs like Sporting CP involved.
Still, Forest have a few advantages:
Premier League pull: Players dream of moving to England — the wages, exposure, and level of play are unmatched.
Player desire: Romulo reportedly wants the move, which could pressure Göztepe into accepting more favorable terms.
Forest’s timeline: The club wants to get major deals done early in the window, so Espírito Santo has a full squad for preseason.
A deal could be struck quickly if Forest push hard — possibly in the £6-10 million range depending on clauses, bonuses, and future sell-on percentages.
🧠 Nuno’s Vision: Youth, Energy, and Flexibility
Romulo’s signing would not just be about filling a hole in the squad — it would reflect the broader vision of Nuno Espírito Santo and Forest’s recruitment team.
The strategy is clear: sign players who are:
Young, coachable, and hungry
Able to contribute now, but improve over time
Tactically flexible
Available at below market value before they explode
Forest are not just building a team to survive the Premier League anymore — they are aiming to compete in it, build squad value, and establish themselves as a club that develops talent and plays exciting football.
Romulo ticks all those boxes.
🔮 Final Thoughts: A Statement Signing in the Making?
While Romulo might not be the headline-grabbing name that lights up Twitter, this is precisely the kind of signing that ambitious clubs make before they reach the next level. A player who is hungry, on the rise, and eager to prove himself on the biggest stage.
If he hits the ground running, Forest could have an underrated gem on their hands — a player capable of leading the line in Europe, chipping in with 10-15 goals, and growing into a Premier League-calibre forward.
The work continues, but the signs are clear: Nottingham Forest are no longer looking to survive. They’re planning to thrive.