- Nottingham Forest coach Nuno Espirito Santo is confident Ola Aina will stay at the club beyond the summer despite his expiring contract
- Manchester City has reportedly shown interest in Aina, who is eligible to sign pre-contract agreements with other clubs
- Forest is also negotiating new contracts for Chris Wood and Morgan Gibbs-White to secure their long-term services
Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has expressed his confidence in keeping Nigerian defender Ola Aina at the City Ground beyond this summer.
The Super Eagles right-back, who joined the Reds on a free transfer from Torino in 2023, has been pivotal for Forest since his arrival and is widely regarded as one of the best right-backs in the English Premier League this season.
Aina’s one-year deal, which included an extension clause, was triggered last summer, securing his stay until 2024. However, with just six months left on his current contract, the former Torino defender is now eligible to negotiate pre-contract agreements with other clubs. Despite reported interest from Manchester City and other top clubs, Espirito Santo remains optimistic about retaining Aina's services.
The Portuguese tactician downplayed any concerns surrounding Aina’s future, stating the club’s positive environment and its role in ensuring players remain committed,
"On Ola’s contract, no, I don’t think there’s an issue on that, the people responsible for that part of the club are taking care of it. What we want is our players to feel good. We provide the right atmosphere, and then they have to do their jobs on the pitch,” the coach said.
Aina's performances this season have been nothing short of spectacular, earning him widespread acclaim as a key figure in Nottingham Forest’s campaign. His solid defensive abilities, coupled with his versatility and attacking contributions, make him a fan favourite and an important player on the team.
Forest’s management has also been proactive in securing the futures of other crucial squad members. Discussions are ongoing for new contracts for striker Chris Wood and playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White. Additionally, the club is working to extend the contract of Brazilian defender Murillo, who has drawn attention to his exceptional performances.
Murillo’s current deal runs until 2028, but Forest is eager to reward his progress with improved terms. Espirito Santo praised the young defender’s development and his partnerships with Nikola Milenkovic and Morato, emphasising their collective contributions to the team’s success,
"Murillo is improving a lot of aspects of his game. The partnership with Nikola and Morato has been very important in the way they help each other," Nuno said.
“I’m just happy I got one today,” Nigeria’s Aina elated after helping Forest beat Brentford
Previously, TheRadar reported that Nigerian full-back Ola Aina was elated as he shone once again after his early strike set Nottingham Forest on course for a stunning 2-0 victory over Brentford at the Brentford Community Stadium on Saturday, December 21.
The win marked Forest’s third consecutive victory, pushing them momentarily to fourth place in the Premier League table, just two points below Arsenal.
