Super Eagles defender, Ola Aina, has piqued the interest of 2023-24 English Premier League champions, Manchester City, who have recently emerged as a suitor, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Manchester club is currently in a downward spiral, with recent performances in the 2024-25 season seeing them lose twice and draw once in their last Premier League games.
As a result, Pep Guardiola is keen to make the most of the January transfer window to freshen up his squad, and the Nigeria international has emerged as a top priority on his list.
However, there’s a twist for the Super Eagles defender, who signed a one-year contract extension in May 2024, with his deal set to expire in June 2025.
Forest Desperate to Keep Aina
Ola Aina has been a key figure in Nottingham Forest’s strong 2024-25 campaign, with the team currently sitting third in the EPL standings on 40 points, just six points behind league leaders Liverpool.
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As a result, the Tricky Trees are hoping to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 44 years, and Aina is expected to play a crucial role in their push for inclusion.
To secure his services for the future, the Nigerian defender has been offered a new contract, with reports suggesting that talks are progressing well.
“They’re desperate to get him tied down. I’d expect those talks to progress quickly, and I think they’ll be edging closer to that agreement,” said an ex-Manchester United Chief Scout, as reported by Football Insider.
Should Ola Aina sign a new deal?
Many football experts have shared mixed reactions to the situation. While it is believed that signing a contract would be beneficial for both Ola Aina and the club, the opportunity to play for one of Europe’s top teams would certainly elevate his career.
A renowned freelance football journalist with contributions to top platforms such as FotMob, BetUS, Zach Lowy, shared his thoughts on Ola Aina’s future.
Reacting to Aina’s contract situation at Forest, Lowy speculated on the defender’s potential move to a top European club, given his expiring deal and impressive performances.
“I would love to see Aina renew his contract at Forest, but in this day and age, players want to play for the best teams in Europe. Aina will have plenty of suitors — Chelsea, City and Liverpool will all be in the market for a RB — and I can see him cashing in. Given that his contract is expiring, he can demand a massive commission and a huge salary that Forest simply would be unable to provide. He’s had to cut his teeth at Hull, Torino, Fulham and Forest, but at 28, time is running out for him to play at one of the biggest clubs in Europe.” he told Soccernet.ng.
Babajide Orevba, who is a CAF-accredited Nigerian journalist known for his insightful football analysis on Channels and his works on Legit NG, also weighed in on Aina’s contract situation at Nottingham Forest.
Orevba believes the former Torino FC defender should prioritise stability and continue his impressive form with Forest rather than seeking a move elsewhere.
Speaking to Soccernet.ng, Orevba said, “In my opinion, Ola Aina should consider renewing his contract with Nottingham Forest. The team is doing well in the league this season. He is one of the best players and has found some stability with the team. Why disrupt that to look for a move? Also, there aren’t many top football clubs in the world who would want to buy a 28-year-old fullback. Liverpool is probably the only option if Trent leaves the club this January. With the possibility of helping Forest qualify for the Champions League, Aina could lift himself to cult hero status. He should renew his status.”
Football writer for Brila and FootballLive NG, Seyi Alao, also believes Aina should remain at the club and build on the momentum of his recent success, particularly at the international level.
“I believe he should remain at the club and focus on continuing his development. The past year has been the best of his career, particularly at the international level, largely due to the consistent game time he has received at the club.
“They have placed their trust in him and provided the platform for his growth, so I think he owes them at least one more season to see how things unfold.
“Aina likely has one major move left in his career, and he can’t afford to make a mistake,” he told Soccernet.ng.
Why Ola Aina Stands out
Ola Aina has already surpassed his attacking output from last season, having showcased a significant improvement in key metrics. This season, he has registered higher Expected Goals (0.58) and Expected Assists (1.14) compared to 0.27 and 1.03 respectively, last term.
Additionally, he has created two big chances, which is a marked improvement from none in the previous campaign. Aina is also more involved in build-up play, with increases in long balls (1.1 per 90) and crosses (0.4 per 90) compared to 0.9 and 0.3 in the 2023-24 season.
In an interview with RG, Nigerian journalist Oma Akatugba described Ola Aina as a player whose versatility sets him apart.
“Ola Aina’s biggest trait is his versatility,” Akatugba said. “He’s solid on both the left and right sides of the defence and brings a lot of athleticism to his game. He’s reliable defensively, contributes to the attack, and has the strength and technical ability to handle different roles while staying calm under pressure.”
There is no official statement on Ola Aina’s contract situation. Still, the Nigerian attacker is expected to extend his stay in Nottingham and continue with his explosive form under Esposito Santo.