Agent says transfer to Nottingham Forest was against their wishes – Wanted Real Madrid instead

Igor Jesus's agent claims the striker never wanted to leave Botafogo and preferred a move to Real Madrid, alleging the club still owes Jesus unpaid wages.

Igor Jesus's agent Jefferson Batista has revealed that the Brazilian striker's 2025 move to Nottingham Forest was against his client's wishes. Batista claims Jesus wanted to stay at Botafogo and that they explicitly requested to remain at the club, but the request was rejected by the administrative side.

Batista also alleged that Botafogo failed to pay Jesus everything he was owed and has made unsuccessful attempts to resolve the situation. He stated that Jesus has not taken legal action against the club due to his love for it, despite the unpaid wages.

The agent disclosed his original vision was for Jesus to eventually move to Real Madrid, not Nottingham Forest. He said he had proposed renewing Jesus's contract, giving him the captain's armband, and working on his image before selling him to the Spanish giants.

However, after Nottingham Forest and Botafogo's presidents agreed a deal, Jesus was sold to England instead. The comments come as Brazilian clubs including Flamengo and Botafogo are reportedly interested in signing Jesus in January, with Nottingham Forest valuing him at €40m.