Brazilian striker Igor Jesus has moved to quash persistent transfer speculation linking him with a high-profile move away from Nottingham Forest, delivering a clear and passionate reaffirmation of his commitment to the club as they battle to secure their Premier League status in the crucial second half of the 2025/26 season.
In an exclusive interview with the club’s official website, the forward addressed mounting reports of interest from Brazilian giants Flamengo, who made a formal enquiry in early February 2026, as well as emerging links to other top European sides. “I understand why there’s talk when you perform well, clubs take notice but my heart is here at the City Ground,” Jesus stated. “I came to Nottingham with a clear purpose: to help this historic club grow and achieve great things, and that hasn’t changed one bit. We’re in a tough fight to stay in the Premier League, and I won’t be abandoning my teammates or the fans at a time like this.”
Since completing his £10 million transfer to Forest in July 2025 from Botafogo, Jesus has quickly established himself as one of the squad’s most influential players. Despite the team’s challenging league position, the 27-year-old has been a consistent source of goals and creativity, notching 2 goals in 25 Premier League outings – including a crucial late winner against Wolverhampton Wanderers in November and an impressive 7 goals in 7 Europa League matches to become Forest’s top scorer with 12 goals across all competitions this season. His performances have also caught the eye at international level, having made his senior Brazil debut in October 2024, where he scored on his first appearance against Chile and provided an assist in the subsequent match against Peru during World Cup qualifying.
Jesus’s journey to Nottingham has been marked by consistent success at every stage of his career. He came through the renowned youth system at Coritiba, making his senior debut in 2019 and helping the club secure promotion to Brazil’s Serie A. In 2020, he made the move to UAE Pro League side Shabab Al Ahli, where he truly flourished, scoring 34 goals in 66 appearances and lifting the league title and President’s Cup during his four-year spell. His form earned him a transfer to Botafogo in 2024, where he played a pivotal role in the club’s historic double-winning campaign, claiming both the Serie A title and Copa Libertadores Brazil’s most prestigious continental competition while contributing 9 goals and 5 assists in 37 games.
Speaking about his adaptation to life in England and at Forest, Jesus highlighted the support he has received from fans, teammates and staff as a key factor in his decision to stay. “The fans have welcomed me like one of their own from day one singing my name, supporting me even when things haven’t gone perfectly. That means more to me than any transfer offer could,” he explained. “My relationship with the manager and my teammates is strong, and we’re building something special here. The club has invested in new facilities and a long-term vision, and I want to be part of that journey.”
Nottingham Forest’s technical director has also confirmed the club’s stance, stating: “Igor is a vital part of our plans for the future. We had little intention of considering any offers for him in this transfer window, and his commitment to the cause gives everyone at the club a huge boost as we enter the final stretch of the season.”
With his contract running until 2029, Jesus is focused on helping Forest secure Premier League survival before setting his sights on greater achievements in the seasons ahead. “We have the quality in this squad to turn things around,” he added. “Once we’re safe, we can start building towards competing for European places and bringing more success to this amazing club. I’m here for the long haul.”
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