Latest news with #NunoEspiritoSanto
Telegraph
a day ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
Nottingham Forest's £30m swoop for Brazilian duo signals start of European adventure
Nottingham Forest are close to completing a £30 million deal for Botafogo's Brazilian pair Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha. Jesus, the Brazilian international forward, and centre-back Cunha, are expected to undergo medicals later this month, or when Botafogo's involvement in the Club World Cup is over. Both scored in Botafogo's 2-1 victory over Seattle Sounders in their opening group game. In another boost to manager Nuno Espirito Santo, who is preparing for Forest's return to European football, key players Neco Williams and Ola Aina are on the verge of signing new contracts. Williams and Aina both have one year left on their current deals but negotiations are advancing positively and an agreement is regarded as a formality. The move to offer Wales international Williams improved terms, and extend the contract of Aina, is a strategic decision aimed at retaining the core of Nuno's squad. Williams was signed from Liverpool for about £17 million following Forest's promotion to the Premier League, and he has been consistently impressive, producing arguably his best season in the last campaign. Aina, the Nigeria international, has also proved a huge success after joining on a free transfer. Though he has triggered an option to stay for another year, he is set to sign a long-term contract at the City Ground. Forest are also working on incomings and the capture of Jesus, 24, is regarded as a major coup. There is also strong interest in Cuiabano, another Botafogo player. Though the arrivals of Jesus and Cunha are all but guaranteed, Brazilian sources claim that a deal for Cuiabano is not as advanced. Brighton and Hove Albion have shown previous interest in the 22-year-old left-back and, while Forest are still hopeful of signing him, a transfer is not yet agreed. Forest secured their return to Europe for the first time since the 1995-96 season with a seventh-placed finish in the Premier League. Nuno is also targeting at least two wingers, a central midfielder, a left-back and No 2 goalkeeper. Danilo and goalkeeper Matt Turner's moves to Lyon will accelerate when the two Brazilians are signed and sealed. Why Forest are bolstering squad while putting up 'not for sale' sign When Nuno Espirito Santo was pressed last season on the secrets of Nottingham Forest's success, he frequently pointed to the squad sticking together. With players such as Murillo, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga all attracting interest from rival clubs, Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis put up the 'not for sale' sign. The future of England international Morgan Gibbs-White has been uncertain this summer, with Manchester City seriously considering a bid before opting to sign Rayan Cherki from Lyon. Yet Marinakis is determined to continue building for the future and it will require significant offers to persuade him to even contemplate doing business. European football is where he feels Forest belong and he wants next season's excursions to be an annual event. Retaining the squad by offering the likes of Neco Williams and Ola Aina new contracts is another positive step as Forest target further progress.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Live in Nottingham
Nottingham is glorious in the sunshine and this city is one that claims to be the pub capital of the UK. It is said the West Bridgeford area, home to the City Ground on the River Trent, has nine pubs per square mile and it feels like everyone is out nice and early to soak in the atmosphere. Advertisement Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has delivered the same message to fans in his programme notes as his press conference: "Enjoy the game and bring then noise." My train came in stupidly early today so I have been walking around. There there is a bit of a party atmosphere bubbling up even several hours before kick-off.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
How will Forest manage European football?
Nottingham Forest will have to adapt next season should they reach the Europa Conference League group Espirito Santo's side have qualified for Europe for the first time since 1995-96 after finishing seventh last season, and their Conference League play-off games are scheduled for 21 and 28 puts the first leg between the opening day visit of Brentford and a trip to Crystal Palace and the second leg comes before they face West Ham at the City Ground on 30 Conference League group stage does not start until 2 October but Forest would face a long trip to Newcastle days later and it would be the same for the second game on 23 October, with their next match at course, Forest still need to reach the group stage first and, if they do, those games will be pushed back 24 hours, but the squad will need to learn to adjust to the rigours of balancing European football with the Premier League.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Festive schedule, final day - a rundown of Forest's standout games
Nottingham Forest were one of two sides that Liverpool failed to beat in last season's Premier League and they will aim to follow up that good form when Nuno Espirito Santo's side travel to Anfield over the weekend of 22-23 return fixture is scheduled for the weekend of 21-22 what about the schedule over Christmas and New Year? Well, Forest visit Fulham before hosting Manchester City and Everton to finish the first game of 2026 will be at Aston Villa on weekend of 3-4 the Reds will close their campaign with a home game against Bournemouth on Sunday, 24 May 2026 - when all 10 matches will kick off at 16:00 at the fixture list, where do you think Nuno's side will be after 10 games? Have your say here
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
League fixtures announced - how do you think Forest will start?
Nottingham Forest will host Brentford in their opening game of the 2025-26 Premier League match will take place at 15:00 BST on Saturday, 16 August, with the Reds' first away fixture at Crystal Palace on the weekend of 23-24 Forest's Premier League fixtures in full hereWhere do you think Nuno Espirito Santo's side will be after 10 games and what do you make of how the fixtures have fallen? Tell us here
