John Textor makes Ipswich Town transfer claim involving Nottingham Forest | OneFootball

The Botafogo owner has opened up on Ipswich Town's previous transfer plans

John Textor has revealed that Ipswich Town were interested in buying Igor Jesus prior to his move to Nottingham Forest but were turned down by the player.

The forward made the switch to the Reds last summer in a deal worth a reported £10 million from Botafogo after impressing the Brazilian top flight.

The 24-year-old has featured in 12 of Nottingham Forest’s first 13 league fixtures so far this season, including five starts, but has yet to register a goal or assist.

However, he’s scored three times from four appearances in the Europa League, proving an important part of Sean Dyche’s plans at the City Ground.

This was the Brazilian’s first move into European football, having previously impressed during his season-and-a-half in Série A.

John Textor reveals Ipswich’s Igor Jesus interest

Textor has revealed that Ipswich made an offer to sign Igor Jesus from Botafogo prior to his move to Nottingham Forest, as Kieran McKenna looked to bolster his attacking options.

However, the American businessman, and owner of the Brazilian club, has claimed that their impending relegation from the Premier League led to the forward turning down the opportunity, which then led to his move to the City Ground.

“In the case of Igor Jesus, we only had one offer, from Ipswich, which was about to be relegated, and he didn't want to leave,” said Textor, via Fogo na Rede.

“There should have been many more offers for Igor Jesus, and now I think people are regretting it.

“You could say we were stupid to sell him for that amount, but we had no other offers.”

Ipswich finished 19th in the Premier League last season in their first year back in the top flight since 2002.

McKenna oversaw back-to-back promotions from League One to the first division, but he was unable to keep them from suffering relegation straight back to the Championship.

The Tractor Boys are now ninth in the table ahead of their clash this evening against Blackburn Rovers, a replay of their abandoned fixture from September.

Victory at Ewood Park could move the Suffolk outfit up to fourth in the table prior to their weekend fixture against league leaders Coventry City on 6 December.

Igor Jesus signing could’ve been a smart move for Ipswich

Igor Jesus has done well at Nottingham Forest despite his lack of goals, with the forward settling into a useful role in Dyche’s first team squad.

His goals in Europe show he could’ve been a great signing for Ipswich, especially at a figure around the £10 million mark.

However, the fact that the 24-year-old is now playing in the Premier League and Europa League shows he was justified in waiting for interest away from the Tractor Boys.

The Brazilian is playing continental and top flight football instead of in the Championship, and that is the price clubs pay when they are relegated from the top flight.