Nottingham Forest are ready to move for Cruzeiro goalkeeper Otávio. Reports from Brazil claim the Premier League club are preparing an offer for the 20-year-old.
It has been a quick climb for Otávio. At the start of the year he was still waiting for a real opportunity. A few months later, he has become one of the most talked-about young goalkeepers in Brazil. And now he is attracting attention from England.
According to Globo Esporte, Forest have been keeping a close eye on the youngster. They are now weighing up a formal move after his impressive rise into Cruzeiro’s first team.
The report states that Forest are willing to put €13m (£11.2m) on the table. If a deal is completed at that figure, it would reportedly become the highest fee ever paid by a European club for a Brazilian goalkeeper.
From backup to first choice
Otávio only became Cruzeiro’s starter after an injury to veteran goalkeeper Cássio opened the door.
The youngster then found himself competing with Matheus Cunha for the spot. He impressed the coaching staff and never really looked back. He has now established himself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.
His numbers help explain why interest is growing. Otávio has made 14 appearances in 2026 and kept four clean sheets. This is a solid return for a player who only recently entered the senior side.
The goalkeeper is a product of Cruzeiro’s academy and has been with the club since he was 10 years old. He signed his first professional contract in 2022 and remains tied to the Brazilian side until 2029.
Globo Esporte also note that John Textor’s side Botafogo tried to sign him before he became a regular starter, although those talks ultimately went nowhere.
Forest could force Cruzeiro rethink
Cruzeiro have declined to comment on the speculation, telling Globo Esporte they do not discuss transfer rumours. They only speak publicly once deals are completed. That leaves plenty of room for developments over the coming weeks.
From Forest’s perspective, the attraction is obvious. Clubs across Europe are increasingly looking to secure talented South American goalkeepers before their prices climb even higher, and Otávio fits that profile perfectly.
There is still an element of risk. He has fewer than 20 senior appearances and remains at a very early stage of his career. At the same time, his rise over the past few months has been difficult to ignore.
The potential knock-on effect at Cruzeiro is also worth watching. The Brazilian club had no plans to enter the market for another goalkeeper after deciding they had enough cover during Cássio’s absence. However, if Forest manage to push a deal through, that thinking may have to change very quickly.
For now, the proposal is still being prepared, but Forest seem ready to find out just how much it will take to prise one of Brazil’s most promising young goalkeepers away from Cruzeiro.
