Exclusive: Nottingham Forest 'sensational' player makes decision on potential Saudi Arabia transfer
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Nottingham Forest are close to tying Ola Aina down to a new contract despite former Chelsea director Michael Emenalo’s attempts to lure the Premier League stalwart to Saudi Arabia.
- Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
With a number of contracts expiring at the City Ground in the summer of 2025, the January transfer window represents the last chance for Nottingham Forest to make any sort of a return on the likes of Willy Boly, Harry Toffolo and Ola Aina.
In the case of the latter, Aina’s impressive form under Nuno Espirito Santo means the versatile full-back is likely to be retained by the City Ground outfit.
Aina, as things stand, will be a free agent in less than 12 months’ time.
But TBR can confirm that Nottingham Forest are close to reaching an agreement with the former Fulham, Chelsea and Torino man. Aina was initially willing to wait until the New Year to weigh up his options – there is interest from the cash-rich Saudi Pro League – but the London-born 28-year-old has instead decided to speed things up and commit his future to Forest imminently.
Nottingham Forest to keep Ola Aina out of Saudi Arabia’s clutches
Aina has started every one of Nottingham Forest’s 12 Premier League games so far in 2024/25.
After finding himself in and out of the Forest XI last term, he has since ousted Neco Williams as Nuno’s first-choice right-back. Ola Aina scored a ‘sensational’ goal against West Ham – only his second in Forest colours – during the 3-0 triumph in early November too.
A rocket of a finish from outside the box that had Nuno praising his improving self-confidence in the final third.
"We are delighted that almost every player starts to give the belief that he can help the team with goals,” Nuno said. “That was a very positive and beautiful goal from Ola Aina.”
TBR have learned that Aina does have interest from those big-spending clubs in the Middle East.
The chance to earn a potentially substantial rise on his current City Ground wages may have appealed to the Nigeria international – capped 44 times by his country – especially with Michael Emenalo leading the pursuit.
Emenalo knows Aina from his time as a technical director at Chelsea. He now overseas the whole of the Saudi Pro League in his current role, with one of his key roles being luring targets such as Aina away from European football.
Nuno, meanwhile, provided an update on Aina’s situation during his press conference on Thursday.
Speaking ahead of the weekend’s clash with Ipswich Town at the City Ground, the former Wolves and Tottenham Hotspur boss admitted that discussions were heading in the right direction.
Nuno Espirito Santo suggests Aina will stay at City Ground
"I think things are going well. I am a coach, [so] I give my opinion," the Portuguese said when asked about Aina's contract situation.
"We love what Ola is doing. We love him as a player and as a person, but other people in the club take care of those discussions."
Aina, who produced one of Forest’s finest individual performances this term during the famous 1-0 win at Liverpool, confirmed back in September that he was keen to stick around and help build upon an impressive start to their third campaign back in the Premier League.
“All I can say is I am really happy at Forest,” Aina said. “[Forest is a] fantastic club. I feel at home and we’re just building. I’m building, the club’s building. Let’s just see what happens in the future.”
“[The mood around the club] is really good, you know. We’re just building from last season. Last season was difficult at times, but the mood and energy around the club was still positive and I feel like we’ve built on that.
“There is definitely a good feeling around the club because we’ve started well and we just want to build on each performance every week.”
Nottingham Forest are also drawing up plans for potential new recruits heading into 2025.
TBR understands that Forest like Brazilian duo Yuri Alberto and Igor Jesus – strikers at Corinthians and Botofogo – while Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney has been watched too.
