Premier League side West Ham United reportedly want to sign Botafogo striker Igor Jesus after his stunning FIFA Club World Cup debut.Â
The Hammers, however, could be in for a disappointment, as the striker has a verbal agreement with Nottingham Forest.
Nottingham Forest To Sign Igor Jesus After Club World Cup
According to ESPN, Nottingham Forest have agreed to pay €20 million (£17.1 million) plus bonuses to secure his services from Botafogo. He will reportedly sign a five-year contract with Nottingham Forest shortly after the end of the Club World Cup campaign in the United States.
Earlier in June, Jesus shared his excitement about joining Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
He said (via SportWitness):
“I achieved the goals I had here at Botafogo, winning the Libertadores and the Brasileiro, two major championships. Now I hope to continue my journey in this new challenge in my life.
“Now I have the opportunity to play for Nottingham Forest, and I hope to have a great season there.”
In addition to Jesus, Nottingham are also planning to sign Jair Cunha and Cuiabano from Botafogo. The combined value of the triple-swoop could be around in the region of €34-40 million (£29-33m).
West Ham United Interested in Botafogo Striker Igor Jesus After Club World Cup Debut
Their interest came to the fore after the 24-year-old striker delivered an impressive performance at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. According to Spanish outlet Fichajes.net, West Ham United’s scouts are closely monitoring him, and an offer could soon be tabled.
His movement inside the box, aerial prowess, and ability to attack spaces make him one of the most sought-after players in Brazil. At the London Stadium, they see Jesus as the perfect man to complement their attack. It is believed that his physical strength and eye for goal would improve West Ham’s chances of enjoying a better campaign in 2025/26.
Igor Jesus hit the Kamehameha after scoring against Seattle Sounders âš¡ pic.twitter.com/xkNZ16KHtV
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 16, 2025
As things stand, Nottingham Forest have this transfer in the bag. So, West Ham United not only have to outbid Nottingham Forest, but also convince Jesus to break his verbal agreement with Forest.
While his future remains uncertain, Jesus remains committed to the task at hand. He wants to keep shining for Botafogo at the Club World Cup, knowing a mega prize money and world recognition are theoretically within reach.
So far, he has played 56 games for the club in all competitions, scoring 16 goals and providing 6 assists. His contract with the club expires on December 31, 2027.
A Club World Cup Debut to Remember for Igor Jesus
Botafogo kicked off their FIFA Club World Cup campaign on Sunday, June 15, with a 2-1 win over Seattle Sounders. In the 28th minute, Jair Cunha headed home from Alex Telles’ delivery, making it 1-0. Then, just before the break, Igor Jesus fired Botafogo 2-0 up, expertly heading in Vitinho’s cross from the right.
In addition to scoring the excellent goal, Jesus showcased his physical prowess, winning eight of nine duels. He also made five recoveries, delivered two accurate long balls, and completed 26 passes.
Jesus and Botafogo will return to Club World Cup action with a clash against Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday, June 19.
Chelsea and Manchester City, the Premier League’s two representatives at the Club World Cup, begin their campaigns on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.
