As the July 20 transfer window approaches, Cruzeiro is wasting no time in the international market. The Brazilian club's board has set its sights on English football, targeting two key players to bolster Artur Jorge's squad: Nottingham Forest goalkeeper John and Brighton center-back Igor Júlio.
While the Minas Gerais side is pushing for a double swoop, the negotiations for each player are unfolding very differently. Here's how Cruzeiro is navigating these potential deals.
Goalkeeper John: A Top Priority with Hurdles
John is the coaching staff's number one choice between the posts, largely because he previously worked with Artur Jorge at Botafogo. However, internally, the club is approaching this deal with caution and tempered optimism.
The biggest obstacle is financial. Nottingham Forest acquired John in August 2025 for £9 million (roughly R$66.3 million at the time) and is demanding significant compensation to let him go. Cruzeiro has yet to submit a formal offer. Adding to the complexity, John is recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, an injury that has sidelined him since the start of the year. After a treatment stint in Brazil, he recently returned to England to complete his rehabilitation, keeping alive his dream of earning a World Cup call-up. With his contract running until mid-2028, the deal remains a tough nut to crack.
As a contingency, Cruzeiro's board is already scouting alternative goalkeepers, keeping its focus firmly on the foreign market.
Igor Júlio: A More Promising Path
If John's situation is complicated, the outlook for center-back Igor Júlio is far more encouraging. Cruzeiro has been tracking the defender since last year—even before the current coaching staff arrived—and has already floated initial figures to Brighton in an attempt to secure his signature.
Igor Júlio has struggled for playing time in England. Last season, he was loaned to West Ham, where he made just four appearances. After returning to Brighton, limited opportunities could make a move to Brazil an attractive option for the young defender. For Cruzeiro, this represents a chance to add depth to their backline with a player eager for regular minutes.
With the transfer window set to open in just weeks, all eyes are on Cruzeiro's board to see if they can pull off this ambitious double swoop—or if they'll need to pivot to Plan B.