Ola Aina reacts as Nottingham Forest confirm exit with heartfelt announcement
Nottingham Forest star Ola Aina has reacted to a heartfelt announcement after the Reds confirmed an exit ahead of the new campaign.
Aina was a key man for Forest in their quest to qualify for European competition last season, with two goals and one assist in 35 Premier League appearances.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side tailed off from competing for the Champions League places to eventually finish in seventh after a final day loss to Chelsea, but they are set to participate in the Europa League due to Crystal Palace’s demotion by UEFA.
Forest are set for a busy summer window as a result, and former Everton chief Keith Wyness recently revealed to Football Insider that Nuno and owner Evangelos Marinakis will need to agree on selling some key men in the coming months to stay in line with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Anthony Elanga has already joined Newcastle United, but former Chelsea youngster Aina has previously been targeted by Manchester City as a potential Kyle Walker replacement [The Sun], and he has now reacted after Forest announced a departure from the club.
Forest confirm O’Brien’s departure to Wrexham
The Tricky Trees’ recent rise to the top of English football has seen them have to sell numerous fringe players, and this summer has been no different with Andrew Omobamidele being sold to Strasbourg, among others.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s clearout has continued with out-of-favour midfielder Lewis O’Brien allowed to leave to join Championship newcomers Wrexham, with Forest announcing the transfer on Instagram on Thursday (24 July), saying: “Lewis O’Brien has completed a permanent transfer to Wrexham. Everyone at Nottingham Forest wishes Lewis the very best for the future,” with a handshake emoji.
Aina reacted to their heartfelt message with a like, while his Forest teammates Murillo and Ryan Yates also did the same.
Aina’s new deal is a sign of Forest’s intent
Football Insider verdict
Aina signed a new contract extension with Forest in early July to tie his future down at the club until 2028, and so while his strong 2024/25 form will have seen him attract attention from numerous top teams, like Man City, the club have been able to warn off suitors by agreeing fresh terms.
The Telegraph previously reported that Forest’s “expectation” was that he would sign a new contract, and they were seemingly correct to assume as such, but it still cannot be taken for granted how important it is for them to have made sure that he would not leave this summer.
Their rapid climb to the upper echelons of the top-flight last season was unprecedented by those at the club and neutrals alike, and their success was partly led by the 28-year-old, who looks to be finally realising the high potential that saw him emerge from Chelsea’s academy as a youngster.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 59 | 3 | 2 |
Keeping him around certainly feels like a big statement and step forward for the club, especially considering that Elanga has left to join Newcastle, while Football Insider recently revealed that Tottenham are still expected to sign Morgan Gibbs-White despite Forest threatening Spurs with legal action over their activation of his supposedly confidential release clause.
As well as Aina, the East Midlands outfit have also recently agreed a new deal with Matz Sels, and Murillo has signed a new four-and-a-half year extension at the City Ground, so their key moves are proof that they are serious about maintaining their impressive form next term, and also about trying to win the Europa League to end their trophy drought.