Deal Decisions: Nottingham Forest decided to bring back Cuiabano, who is currently on loan at Botafogo … see deal details …👉
Nottingham Forest’s decision regarding Cuiabano is a fascinating example of long-term planning, shrewd negotiation, and squad management. Here’s a breakdown of what has happened — and why the recall (and associated deal) matters.
Full name: Luis Eduardo Soares da Silva, commonly known as Cuiabano
Background: He came through the youth system of Grêmio and later moved to Botafogo
Nottingham Forest officially signed him from Botafogo on 1 September 2025.
He agreed to a four-year contract, making this a long-term investment.
The fee: Around €6 million (≈ £5.2 m), which is considered a bargain for a young, talented left-back.
Immediately after signing, Forest sent him back on loan to Botafogo for the remainder of the 2025 Brazilian season.
The loan is set until 31 December 2025 per Forest’s squad list.
There is no publicized purchase option tied to that loan in the media reports; it appears more like a strategic development loan rather than a speculative move.
Player Development: Forest apparently laid out a detailed development plan for Cuiabano while he remains in Brazil.
This includes nutritional monitoring, a tailored diet, physical tracking, plus plans for English lessons.
Crucially, they insisted on a minimum playing time for him with Botafogo, so he continues to develop competitively.
Timing: The Brazilian season ends in December, which aligns with his planned return to Forest.
That timing could be very useful. For instance, when key players go away (e.g., for international duty like the Africa Cup of Nations), Forest may have more cover.
Low Risk, High Upside: Paying a relatively modest fee for a young talent gives Forest low financial risk; if he develops well, they have a homegrown left-back (for their own squad) or a valuable asset.
Long-Term Vision: This fits into a broader Forest strategy of building depth and investing in young global talent. Ross Wilson, Forest’s Chief Football Officer, has emphasized this approach.
The deal is part of a triple (or even quadruple) transfer window with Botafogo: Forest also signed Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha, plus goalkeeper John Victor, all from Botafogo.
The reported total agreement for the trio of Jesus, Cuiabano, and Cunha is around €40 million.
Notably, Brighton & Hove Albion reportedly had their own bid for Cuiabano, but Forest won out — part of what makes the fee look like a smart deal in hindsight.
Squad Competition: Right after the deal, Forest also signed Oleksandr Zinchenko, adding competition at the left-back position.
Timing: While the loan-back helps him develop, there’s no guarantee he will immediately displace established left-backs when he returns.
Dependency on Loan Success: Forest is relying on him playing regularly at Botafogo — if his game time drops or his development stalls, the return might not pay off as hoped.
Nottingham Forest’s decision to bring Cuiabano back, even as he remains on loan at Botafogo, appears to be a well-calculated strategic move rather than a rushed panic buy. By investing a relatively modest fee, ensuring he continues to get game time, and planning ahead for his eventual integration into their squad, Forest are balancing risk and reward smartly. If Cuiabano delivers on his potential, this could prove to be one of their most astute signings.
If you like, I can check the latest updates (as of now) on this deal — do you want me to do that?
