How Cruzeiro aim to pull off a double swoop

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OneFootball

·1 Mei 2026

How Cruzeiro aim to pull off a double swoop

Cruzeiro is already making moves in the international market ahead of the transfer window that opens on July 20.

The club’s board is focused on English football, with two main names on its radar to strengthen the squad managed by Artur Jorge: goalkeeper John (Nottingham Forest) and center-back Igor Júlio (Brighton).

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Although the Minas Gerais club is trying to make deals for both players happen, the negotiation scenarios are quite different.

See below how Raposa is approaching these signings, according to information from ge.

John: The “dream target” runs into high price demands

The goalkeeper is the coaching staff’s top choice for the position, especially because he has already worked with coach Artur Jorge during their time at Botafogo. However, internally, the deal is being viewed with caution and with less optimism at the moment.

Financial obstacle: Nottingham Forest bought the player in August 2025 for £9 million (around R$66.3 million at the exchange rate at the time). The English club is demanding financial compensation to release the player, and Cruzeiro has not yet made any formal offer.
Physical condition: Under contract until mid-2028, John has been recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee since the beginning of the year. He spent a period of treatment in Brazil and returned to England in recent weeks to complete his recovery, keeping alive his dream of being called up for the World Cup.
Plan B: Due to the complexity of the operation, Cruzeiro’s board is already mapping out other goalkeeper options, while keeping its focus on the foreign market.

Igor Júlio: Negotiations are progressing and generating optimism

If John’s situation is complex, the outlook for the arrival of center-back Igor Júlio is encouraging for the board. Cruzeiro has been monitoring the defender since last year (even before the arrival of the current coaching staff) and has already indicated initial figures in an attempt to sign him.

Limited opportunities in Europe: Igor Júlio has had little playing time in English football. Last season (mid-2025), he was loaned to West Ham, where he made only four appearances. After returning to Brighton at the start of 2026, he played just once. Because of this lack of continuity, the English club is expected to let him go in the next window.
Cruzeiro’s strategy: The Minas Gerais club knows there is interest from other European teams in the player — in addition to recent inquiries from Brazilian clubs such as Palmeiras. Cruzeiro’s key move to beat the competition is to present a solid sporting project, capable of convincing the center-back that returning to Brazil is the best step for his career.

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