Forest’s Struggles
Nottingham Forest lost to Leeds United in Oliver Glasner’s first game in charge, leaving the Reds with three difficult fixtures ahead. Liverpool, Tottenham and Aston Villa are next, and the club must start picking up points quickly. Forest currently have Igor Jesus, Chris Wood and Arnaud Kalimuendo as their main attacking options, but the trio have not produced the firepower the team needs.
The £70m Bid
Shortly after Brentford beat Tottenham 3-0, Rudy Galetti announced on social media that Forest had made a £70 million bid for Thiago. The striker enjoyed a brilliant campaign with Brentford during 2025/26, scoring 25 goals from 40 appearances in all competitions. Thiago was also part of the Brazil squad at the World Cup, and his reputation as an “outstanding” player has been highlighted by former manager Keith Andrews. It is unclear whether Brentford will be willing to sell the striker this summer, but at £70 million a conversation will almost certainly take place behind the scenes.
Why Thiago Matters
Forest’s current striker situation is precarious. Jesus’ ability to perform at Premier League level remains uncertain, Wood is approaching the final year of his City Ground contract, and Kalimuendo is an unknown quantity in England. With only two weeks left in the transfer window, Forest need a proven goal-scoring option. Thiago’s goal-scoring record and international experience make him an attractive target, and the club’s willingness to pay a substantial fee signals the seriousness of the pursuit.
The Deadline
The Bees might feel that there isn’t enough time to replace the striker, but Forest could do with a proven option. The inability to convert chances was evident against Leeds, where the Whites left it late to steal all three points on Trentside. If the club can secure Thiago before the window closes, it could provide the firepower needed to turn the season around.
