Nottingham Forest’s continued consolidation in the English Premier League is going well, and so far in the 2024/25 campaign they find themselves sat in eighth place in the table, with 13 points from eight games.
Defensively, they have been impressive and boast a plus two goal difference right now, but it is looking increasingly likely that they will soon lose key full back Ola Aina.
The 28 year-old former Chelsea youth Academy graduate only arrived at the City Ground back in the summer of 2023 following his release by Italian Serie A side Torino, but he has been very impressive across his 30 appearances for them in the league to date.
With his contract at the club coming to an end at the end of the year, it is being claimed that a few of Torino’s rivals are now casting an eye over him with an intention to bring him back to the country – and AS Roma are one of those clubs being given a namecheck.
AC Milan are also referenced as potentially having an interest in him for next summer, and of course, if no new deal is signed by the 43 capped Nigerian international, both Italian clubs (and others is Europe’s major leagues) would be free to sign him on a pre contract deal come the New Year and for those who use betting sites for the occasional flutter, the odds on Aina’s future are certainly worth keeping an eye on.
For understandable reasons, whether or not head coach (and former Torino gaffer) Ivan Juric remains in Rome following the summer, our board see Aina as a very sensible capture.
Good experience in the game, previous experience of Italy, and given the contract situation, financially he would make good sense as a free agent, or for a very nominal fee in the January window if a pre contract is already agreed with us.
His versatility of being capable of performing on both full back flanks is an added bonuses and additional coverage for us looking ahead to next season. He could certainly be a player to watch when the January transfer window opens.
We also being linked with a move for Liverpool attacker Federico Chiesa. The 26 year old only made the switch to Liverpool over the summer, but with the Italian international still regaining his fitness following injuries, his game time has been limited and he is going to continue to struggle for regular match minutes. Therefore a loan does seem like a likely option in the next transfer window.
With his experience of the Italian game, Serie A would be the ideal place for him to regain his full fitness and form and whilst this story is more on the speculation side of life, we are named alongside AC Milan and Inter as being potential suitors.
The reports state themselves that it would be somewhat of a surprise if Liverpool loaned him in the New Year, but again it may be one to keep at the back of your brain.
