Nottingham Forest contract 'signed' as major transfer update emerges
by Sarah Clapson · NottinghamshireLiveDefender Jair has reportedly agreed to join Nottingham Forest from Botafogo.
The Reds are already in line to welcome one signing from the Brazilian club in the near future. Striker Igor Jesus is expected to link up with Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad following a short break after his participation in the Club World Cup.
And according to reports from Brazil, he will be joined by team-mate Jair at the City Ground. It had previously been suggested Forest’s hopes of signing the centre-back were in the balance, but the outlook now appears more positive.
According to Brazilian publication Globo, Jair is ‘no longer’ a Botafogo player. It is claimed he has ‘signed a contract’ with the Reds, with other outlets suggesting a five-year deal has been agreed.
Globo report Jair will not be back at Botafogo and will head to England in the ‘next few days’. The deal is said to have progressed in recent days aided by the ‘good relationship’ between Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis and Botafogo counterpart John Textor.
After Botafogo’s exit from the Club World Cup, it was said a meeting would take place earlier this week to ‘define’ Jair’s future. A get-together between Botafogo’s board of directors, Jair and his agents was scheduled to determine the way forward.
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Amid some impressive performances from Jair at the Club World Cup, he was said to have caught the eye of other suitors. Spanish giants Real Madrid were linked with him, with reports suggesting Botafogo were keen to listen to other offers for one of their star players as they felt his value had increased from when Forest had first shown an interest.
Last month, Textor had discussed Forest’s interest in Jesus, Jair and full-back Cuiabano. It is still uncertain what will happen with the latter, with Brighton and Hove Albion reportedly keen on him.
Textor had said at the time: "Only two players are involved in the negotiations with Nottingham Forest. There are a lot of rumours about Cuiabano... They (Forest) like him, they want him, but it's just those two players (Jair and Jesus) for now.”
Jair only joined Botafogo in February after coming through the ranks at Santos. Although the 20-year-old doesn’t have vast experience at senior level, he is said to have great potential.
Forest are yet to announce any new arrivals this summer. They return for pre-season on Monday.