Yahoo News Liverpool win could push Nottingham Forest on these key decisions
Nottingham Forest have been given a few reminders in recent weeks about the contract situations of some of their key players.
During the international break, reports emerged suggesting agreeing fresh terms with Morgan Gibbs-White would be on the Reds’ agenda this season. He still has three years left on his deal but a bumper pay rise could be in the offing to keep him tied down for longer.
Gibbs-White’s England debut and murmurs of Manchester City eyeing him up may well serve to hasten any talks. Forest know just how important their No.10 is.
Saturday’s win over Liverpool should have given the club a nudge for sorting out someone else’s future, too. Ola Aina may not grab the headlines in the same way as Gibbs-White, but he is just as key for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side - as the victory at Anfield illustrated.
The entire back line was magnificent as the visitors shut out a potent Liverpool attack. Recording a clean-sheet on Merseyside was hugely impressive.
It took a brilliant collective effort to thwart the hosts’ threat, with contributions from front to back. But individual displays were also noteworthy, with Aina’s among them.
"Part of a fine defensive display from Forest, Aina kept the in-form Luis Diaz quiet, which is no mean feat,” Alan Shearer said when naming the full-back in his Premier League team of the week. The recognition was well deserved.
Aina was outstanding at the weekend. It might be that Nuno has hit upon his first-choice back four given Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo and Alex Moreno were equally rock-solid.
The Reds head coach’s decision to hand left-back Moreno his Premier League debut for the club meant Aina was switched to the right flank. That versatility is another reason why he is an integral part of the squad; Nuno’s values players with flexibility, particularly as he prefers to work with a small group.
So if the Reds needed any extra motivation to work on getting Aina to put pen to paper again, Saturday was it. Added to that, he is a hugely popular member of the dressing room and is a big contributor to the positive atmosphere about the place.
As it stands, though, the defender will be out of contract next summer. The club activated a one-year extension clause in his deal at the end of last term.
“Since Ola joined the club last summer he has impressed all of us with his performances both on the pitch and also with the positive personality that he brings to the group every day,” chief football officer Ross Wilson said at the time. “We are delighted that he will move forward with us."
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It is surely a no-brainer for Forest to ensure Aina moves forward with them again from the summer onwards. He is 27 so is at a good age and will no doubt be integral to the Reds’ bid to push up the Premier League table.
The Reds do have a few other players whose deals will come to an end in 2025. Big decisions will need to be made at some point.
Defender Willy Boly is part of that group, although the club hold an option to extend his terms by another year. Striker Chris Wood will also see his deal expire in the summer, as will left-back Harry Toffolo.
Wood may be 32 but Nuno has certainly been able to get the best out of him. Forest need him at the moment, not least with Taiwo Awoniyi still building up his sharpness and another forward not being added in the summer. It would not come as a surprise if the club once again try for a front man in January, though.
Contracts ending in 2025: Ola Aina, Willy Boly (club hold option for a second year), Harry Toffolo, Chris Wood, Alex Moreno (on loan from Aston Villa, with permanent option), James Ward-Prowse (on loan from West Ham United), Jonathan Panzo (on loan at Rio Ave).
