Nottingham Forest plan to trigger a one-year contract extension in defender Ola Aina’s contract, talkSPORT understands.
Forest fans can breathe a little easier as the club pushes forward with exciting news regarding three star players.
The high-flying Tricky Trees are also in advanced conversations with their top scorer Chris Wood and influential defender Murillo.
Both players are keen to commit their futures to the club.
With Aina’s current deal set to expire at the end of the season, the club is engaged in discussions about securing a long-term contract for him.
His contract situation hasn’t gone unnoticed, drawing the attention of football giants like Manchester City.
City supposedly see him as a potential successor to the struggling Kyle Walker.
European clubs have also flagged their interest, including AS Roma.
Aina has started all 20 of Forest’s league matches this season and is undoubtedly in the midst of some of the best form of his career, playing a vital role in propelling the team to third place in the Premier League.
He is a player that both the club and its supporters are determined to keep.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo has vowed to maintain squad stability during the January transfer window.
Despite the uncertainties surrounding Aina’s future, showcasing his dedication to the team’s success.
Having joined Forest in the summer of 2023 after parting ways with Torino, Aina made an immediate impact.
He scored his first goal for the club during a triumphant 2–0 win over Aston Villa at the City Ground.
The club and the fans will be hoping he is at the club for the foreseeable given his undoubted impact.
Wood made his way to Forest in January 2023 after limited first-team opportunities at Newcastle.
He initially joined on loan until the season’s end, but his performances soon earned him a permanent move in June for a reported £15 million.
His remarkable contribution included a stunning hat-trick on Boxing Day in a 3–1 away victory against Newcastle United.
Marking him as just the fourth player in Premier League history to achieve such a feat against his former club, alongside the likes of Andy Cole.
In the 2023-24 season, Wood emerged as Nottingham Forest’s top goalscorer, netting 15 goals in 35 appearances across all competitions.
He also he made history by becoming the club’s leading goalscorer in the Premier League in December 2024.
Eclipsing Bryan Roy with the decisive goal in a thrilling 3–2 win over Manchester United. This milestone was particularly sweet, securing Forest’s first victory at Old Trafford since 1994.
Murillo, who joined Forest with high hopes in August 2023 on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee that was reported as €12 million plus potential add-ons, has quickly become a cornerstone of the team, earning the title of Forest’s 2023-24 player of the season.
As Aina, Wood, and Murillo continue to shine, securing new contracts for all three would undoubtedly serve as a tremendous boost for the squad and manager.
With Forest riding high, having won their last five matches, they find themselves just behind Arsenal on goal difference.
The Trick Trees play Luton Town on Saturday 11 January in the FA Cup third round.