Football
Exclusive: Nottingham Forest Lead £30m Race for Feyenoord Star Igor Paixao
Nottingham Forest are eyeing Feyenoord forward Igor Paixao for a £30million move as they push for Champions League football. The Brazilian ace, with 18 goals this season, is also linked to Liverpool, Bournemouth, and Newcastle United. Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo is keen to add attacking options to his squad. Paixao is eager to test himself in the Premier League after three seasons with Feyenoord.
Dutch EredivisieFeyenoord Rotterdam v PSV - Eredivisie by ANP | Getty Images
Feyenoord forward Igor Paixao is wanted by Nottingham Forest for next season ahead of their European football challenge, SportsBoom can reveal.
The 24-year-old Brazilian ace is contracted until June 2029, but the Dutch outfit are happy to negotiate cashing in on the versatile playmaker and slapped a £30million price tag on the player.
Paixao has been linked with Premier League champions Liverpool, as well as Bournemouth and Newcastle United.
But Forest are understood to be the frontrunners in the race for the highly-rated former Brazil Under-23 international, according to sources close to SportsBoom.
Paixao has impressed this season for Feyenoord with 18 goals in 45 games, as well as a hatful of assists.
And SportsBoom understands the player is keen to test himself in the Premier League next season.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DESIRE
Forest can still qualify for the Champions League on the final day of the domestic season – and playing in Europe’s elite competition is one of Paixao’s big ambitions next term as he looks to take the next step in his blossoming career.
Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo is hungry to strengthen his squad after a season to savour in which the club have made great strides in the top flight.
Wanted man Paixao fits the bill, with the Portuguese focused on more attacking options to bolster Forest’s firepower.
Paixao helped Feyenoord finish third in the Netherlands Eredivisie League, but the club finished a frustrating 11 points behind league champions PSV Eindhoven and ten points behind second-placed Ajax.
After three seasons at the De Kuip stadium, the wing-wizard is ready for a new challenge.
Paixao has enjoyed working under manager Robin van Persie, the former Manchester United and Arsenal ace.
But the chance to play in the Premier League is the natural challenge at this stage in his career, especially as he looks to break into the Brazil national senior side in the next couple of seasons.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.