Duo backed to impress as moves to Forest on cards

DEFENDER Jair Cunha has been backed to quickly give head coach Nuno Espirito Santo a selection headache when he links up with Nottingham Forest.

- By SARAH CLAPSON

The centre-back and striker Igor Jesus are set to complete moves to the City Ground from Botafogo after the Club World Cup. If the Reds get their way, they would love to make it a triple transfer with left-back Cuiabano also making the switch.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, deals for Jair and Jesus are “sealed” but there are “still details pending” for Cuiabano. Brighton & Hove Albion are interested in the latter so his future remains unclear.

But the view from Brazil is that Forest's targeting of the trio is no surprise. Journalist Geovana Barcelos, who writes for Brazilian publication BolaVIP, believes all three could make an impact in the Premier League.

Jesus has already impressed Reds fans with his performances at the FIFA tournament in America. And Jair looks to have the ability to provide competition in central defence, where fellow Brazilian Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic formed an effective partnership in the Garibaldi last season.

"Among the names, the most effective player at the moment is Igor Jesus,” Barcelos told the Nottingham Post. “On the other hand, Cuiabano and Jair have more potential for growth. This does not mean only one player will be able to deliver immediately but rather that two other players can wait.