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Nottingham Forest have thrown a £70 million offer at Brentford for Brazilian striker Igor Thiago, a move reported on August 23, 2026 by Italian journalist Rudy Galetti. The bid would represent a massive statement of intent from a Forest side that has been generating transfer funds through player sales.
For context, Brentford paid £30 million to bring Thiago from Club Brugge just two years ago. Forest are now offering more than double that fee.
The numbers that earned the price tag
Thiago’s 2025/26 Premier League campaign was a breakout year. He bagged 22 goals across the season, a tally that placed him second on the league’s scoring chart behind only Erling Haaland.
The striker holds dual citizenship with Brazil and Bulgaria, and his prolific form earned him a call-up to the Brazilian national team. His European journey began at Ludogorets Razgrad in Bulgaria in 2022, where he netted 21 goals in 55 appearances, before moving to Club Brugge and then Brentford.
Brentford’s negotiating position
Thiago’s contract runs until 2031. Brentford have reportedly resisted previous approaches, with their valuation consistently sitting at or above the £70 million mark, putting Forest’s current bid right at the threshold rather than comfortably above it.
Forest aren’t the only suitors. Tottenham, Aston Villa, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich have all been linked with Thiago at various points.
What Forest are building
Forest have been generating income through player sales, including the departure of Elliot Anderson, that have opened up funds for this kind of signing. Spending £70 million on a single player would represent a shift in ambition for Nuno Espírito Santo’s side.
The bigger picture
If Brentford do eventually accept a bid in this range, it would represent one of the largest fees ever paid by Forest and one of the highest sale prices Brentford have ever commanded. Both clubs have yet to confirm any agreement, and Brentford’s response to the bid has not been disclosed.
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