English Premier League side Nottingham Forest have submitted an offer to sign FC Cincinnati star forward Brenner, sources told MLSsoccer.com.
Forest’s first offering is a loan with a purchase clause that will attract performance-based incentives. Cincinnati countered. Discussions between the two parties are ongoing.
Brenner trained by himself on Monday after a discussion with the Cincy training staff, who gave him the green light to do so. Brenner hopes to push through a move while the coaches think it would be best not to have him on the team as a distraction. Brenner did not train on Sunday as the issues heated up too.
The transfer window in England closes on Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET (midnight local time), prompting negotiations.
Brenner, who turns 23 this month, enjoyed a breakout 2022 MLS season with 18 goals and six assists in 29 appearances (2,061 minutes). He is a former Brazilian youth international and was originally acquired in 2021 from São Paulo for $13 million, one of the most expensive transfer fees in MLS history.
Nottingham currently sit in 13th place in the Premier League, although they are only four points clear of the relegation zone. After being promoted from the Championship (second division) last year, footballers Taiwo Awoniyi and Brennan Johnson are their leading footballers with four goals each.
Italian Serie A side Udinese made a bid to sign Brenner earlier this month, as reported by MLSsoccer.com, while Eredivisie powerhouse PSV Eindhoven are interested before opting to sign Fabio Silva from Wolverhampton Wanderers (EPL).
Before joining Cincy, Brenner broke through São Paulo University into the first team, where he scored 24 goals and four assists in 56 high appearances. He was linked with a potential transfer in last winter, though Cincy rejected rate-cutting offers. Under a new technical staff, led by general manager Chris Albright and head coach Pat Noonan, Brenner only managed to produce eight goals and two assists across 33 appearances (2,799 minutes) in 2021.
Brenner’s partnership with forward Brandon Vazquez was among the best in the league, helping Cincy go from a third straight Finals finish (last place in MLS) to the first-ever Audi MLS Cup Playoffs title and victory. Cincinnati also rejected a $7 million transfer offer from Liga MX’s Chivas for Vazquez earlier this winter, as first reported by MLSsoccer.com.
If Brenner is available, he and Cincy are building to a February 25 home opener against Houston Dynamo FC (7:30 p.m. ET | MLS Season Pass).
