Exclusive: Nottingham Forest hijack West Ham's deal
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Credit: Imago
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Fri 29 August 2025 15:25, UK
Nottingham Forest have opened talks about signing Botafogo goalkeeper John Victor, sources have told Football Insider.
Forest are ready to beat West Ham to the Brazilian shot-stopper’s signature ahead of Monday evening’s transfer deadline.
Botafogo have given the green light for Victor, 29, to leave the club in the final days of the summer transfer window after months of speculation.
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 1 August that West Ham made a £10million bid for Victor after scouts were spotted tracking his progress.
Following his impressive displays at the Club World Cup, a number of Premier League teams have been keen to bring him to England.
Forest are now pushing ahead with a move as they aim to utilise their strong relationship with Botafogo, having already signed Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha this summer.
Credit: Imago
Football Insider revealed earlier this month that Victor’s move to West Ham has collapsed as they opted to push forward in their pursuit of Mads Hermansen.
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The goalkeeper has a release clause in his contract with the Brazilian club, and remains widely expected to move on before the end of the transfer window.
The door has now been opened for Premier League rivals to swoop, with Forest moving in front of a number of interested sides in their bid to agree terms.
Ahead of their participation in the Europa League, Nuno Espirito Santo remains determined to strengthen his squad with two players in every position.
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed last month that Aston Villa, Wolves and Burnley want Victor, while Man United have also been heavily linked with the shot-stopper.
Credit: Imago
Alongside ongoing speculation about incoming deals at the City Ground, doubts have also emerged about Nuno’s long-term future with tensions rising.
Football Insider revealed on 29 August that Forest are holding crunch talks with Nuno about his future in the wake of his public comments about Evangleos Marinakis.
All parties are believed to be keen to reach a resolution over the manager’s future, but there are doubts about whether the controversial owner can be won over.
Industry insider Mick Brown told Football Insider on 26 August that Forest are considering sacking Nuno with tensions rising among the key powers behind the scenes.
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