Nottingham Forest Weighs Rp125 Billion Vasco Bid as Cuiabano Wants to Stay in Brazil

Nottingham Forest received an unexpected offer from Vasco da Gama worth around £6 million (about Rp125 billion) to sign left-back Cuiabano permanently, even though the transfer window has closed. The offer comes amid Forest's efforts to turn around a struggling Premier League campaign and tests the management's ability to make an unusual business decision.

According to Brazilian journalist Lucas Pedrosa, Vasco submitted the proposal even though the existing loan agreement includes a purchase option of £8.5 million. The Rio de Janeiro club does not intend to pay in full, making the £2.5 million gap, or about 30 percent, the crucial point in negotiations. Cuiabano is reportedly keen to stay in Brazil, giving Vasco a psychological advantage in the talks.

For Forest, the situation is not just about numbers. The club is battling in the Premier League relegation zone with only six points from nine matches and has yet to score at home. Manager Oliver Glasner is under heavy pressure to improve results quickly, especially ahead of this weekend's match against Manchester City. Amid that crisis, a decision on Cuiabano could serve as a distraction or add to the management's burden.

Vasco, for its part, is seizing the momentum. The Brazilian club knows its player is settled and wants to continue his career at home. With a strong bargaining position, it has dared to bid below the clause. If Forest refuses, Vasco can still keep Cuiabano until the end of the loan spell, though without any guarantee of a permanent transfer. Conversely, accepting the offer would mean Forest forgoing a potential £2.5 million gain and absorbing a loss on its investment.

"Cuiabano wants to stay. Vasco is trying to get a lower price, and Forest has to decide whether to accept or insist on the clause," Lucas Pedrosa said, as quoted in his report.

Forest's decision will also reflect the club's approach to managing player assets outside the first-team setup. Cuiabano, who joined from Botafogo in September 2025, has never played for Forest and has featured mostly in Brazil. If he is sold at a lower price, Forest loses the chance to secure fresh funds that could be used to strengthen the squad in the next transfer window. However, keeping him also means carrying his wages without any direct contribution.

In a broader context, the case highlights transfer dynamics outside the official window, which are increasingly common in modern football. Brazilian clubs often exploit timing gaps and a player's wishes to push down prices. Forest, currently focused on its league struggle, faces a difficult choice: accept a less favorable offer for certainty, or hold its position and hope the situation changes.

Going forward, Forest's decision will send a signal to other Premier League clubs facing similar offers. Will they stand firm on asset value, or be flexible to maintain good relations with the player and the interested club? Meanwhile, Cuiabano remains focused on playing for Vasco, with his future still hanging on the green light from Nottingham.