Nottingham Forest dealt Otávio blow as Cruzeiro insert €100m clause

Nottingham Forest's hopes of signing Cruzeiro goalkeeper Otávio have suffered a setback after the Brazilian club secured the youngster to a new long-term contract containing a €100m (£86.4m) release clause.

The 20-year-old has extended his contract from 2029 until 2031, significantly strengthening Cruzeiro's position following interest from Forest and other European clubs.

According to Globo Esporte, the new agreement also rewards Otávio with an immediate salary increase, while additional contractual triggers can increase his wages further.

Forest identified Otávio during his rapid breakthrough into Cruzeiro's first team.

Reports from Brazil in June claimed the Premier League side were preparing an offer of around €13m (£11.2m) for the goalkeeper.

Lance! now reports that Forest made an enquiry but ultimately did not take their interest any further.

Eintracht Frankfurt had also previously made contact regarding Otávio before he became an established senior player.

Cruzeiro had already been discussing a contract extension with their academy graduate for several months, but his emergence as an important first-team player increased the significance of securing his future.

The new €100m release clause applies to clubs outside Brazil and provides Cruzeiro with considerable protection if Forest or another European side return.

The release clause does not necessarily mean Cruzeiro would demand the full €100m to sell their goalkeeper.

It does, however, put them in a dramatically stronger negotiating position than when Forest's interest first emerged.

Otávio now has another five years remaining on his contract and has been rewarded financially for his development.

For Forest, that means the circumstances surrounding any renewed pursuit would be considerably different from the reported €13m opportunity earlier in the summer.

Cruzeiro can now negotiate from a position of strength rather than worrying about protecting the long-term value of one of their most promising academy players.

Otávio's rise has been particularly impressive considering where he started the year.

The goalkeeper began 2026 as Cruzeiro's third choice and made only three appearances during the state championship.

His opportunity arrived after first-choice goalkeeper Cássio suffered a serious knee injury in March. Matheus Cunha initially replaced him but failed to establish himself and was subsequently sold.

Otávio stepped in during April and has retained his position ever since.

He has now played 22 matches and conceded 19 goals, with his performances convincing Artur Jorge's coaching staff that Cruzeiro no longer needed to recruit another goalkeeper.

The 20-year-old has been with Cruzeiro since the age of 10 and has also represented Brazil at youth level, making his breakthrough particularly significant for the club.

Forest can still revisit their interest, but Cruzeiro's new agreement with Otávio means any negotiations would begin under very different circumstances.

The €100m clause provides protection rather than necessarily establishing his true asking price, but Forest would almost certainly need to offer considerably more than the figures discussed earlier this summer to tempt Cruzeiro into a sale.

Did Nottingham Forest miss their opportunity to sign Otávio before his value exploded, or should they return for the Brazilian goalkeeper in the future? Have your say.