English Premier League side Nottingham Forest have submitted an offer to sign FC Cincinnati star forward Brenner, sources tell MLSsoccer.com.
Forest’s first offer was a loan with a purchase clause that would trigger pending performance-based incentives. Cincinnati countered. Talks between the two clubs are still ongoing.
Brenner practiced alone Monday after a discussion with Cincy’s coaching staff, who gave him the green light to do so. Brenner hopes to make an impact while the coaches thought it best not to have him in the group as a distraction. Brenner did not practice on Sunday as talks heated up as well.
The transfer window in England closes on Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET (midnight local time), making calls urgent.
Brenner, who turned 23 this month, enjoyed a breakout MLS season in 2022 with 18 goals and six assists in 29 games (2,061 minutes). A former Brazil youth international, he was originally purchased in 2021 from São Paulo for $13 million, one of the most expensive incoming transfer fees in MLS history.
Nottingham are currently 13th in the Premier League but are just four points clear of the relegation zone. After gaining promotion from the Championship (Second Division) last year, strikers Taiwo Awoniyi and Brennan Johnson are their top scorers 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 were interested before opting to sign Fabio Silva from Wolverhampton Wanderers (EPL).
Before joining Cincy, Brenner broke into the first team through the São Paulo academy, where he collected 24 goals and four assists in 56 senior appearances. He was linked to a potential exit transfer last winter, though Cincy rejected cut offers. Under a new coaching staff, led by general manager Chris Albright and head coach Pat Noonan, Brenner posted just eight goals and two assists in 33 games (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 Wooden Spoon finish (last place in MLS) to their first-ever Audi MLS Cup Playoffs qualification and win. Cincinnati also rejected a $7 million transfer offer from Liga MX’s Chivas for Vazquez earlier this winter, as originally reported by MLSsoccer.com.
Should Brenner stay, he and Cincy build toward a Feb. 25 home opener against Houston Dynamo FC (7:30 p.m. ET | MLS Season Ticket).
