Alious
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo may be anticipating a summer of squad reinforcements, but the club is in real danger of losing one of his most trusted performers—despite having activated a contract extension.
While much of the transfer spotlight has been on Morgan Gibbs-White amid serious interest from Manchester City, another potential departure is quietly gaining momentum: **Ola Aina**, a fan favourite and key figure in Forest’s defensive structure. The club extended his contract earlier this year in a bid to secure his services for at least another season, but that move may not be enough to keep him at the City Ground.
According to reports from Turkish outlet *Fotospor*, **Besiktas are monitoring Aina’s situation closely** and are ready to make a formal approach if a longer-term agreement isn’t reached. Negotiations between Forest and Aina’s camp have been ongoing, but a resolution has yet to materialize—leaving the door wide open for the Turkish giants to pounce.
This isn’t the first time the Nigerian international has attracted attention from the Süper Lig. Galatasaray were previously linked with Aina back in January, signalling a broader European interest in the versatile right-back. Aina’s ability to cover multiple positions and his strong performances under Espírito Santo have only amplified his value on the market.
Despite publicly stating his desire to stay at Forest as far back as February—telling Sky Sports that he sees his future at the club—Aina’s contract saga continues to drag on. Reports suggest Forest may have had a new deal on the table for months, but the lack of progress raises serious questions. Is the offer below Aina’s expectations? Are there behind-the-scenes concerns about the club’s direction? Or is the player simply exploring other options despite public loyalty?
Whatever the reason, the delay is proving costly. Until Forest finalize a long-term contract with Aina, interest from clubs like Besiktas will only grow stronger. The Turkish side is reportedly prepared to swoop in with a competitive offer, especially if the impasse continues into the later stages of the summer transfer window.
For Forest, who are already bracing for a fight to retain Gibbs-White amid top-tier Premier League interest, the potential loss of Aina could complicate Nuno’s summer planning. The club’s hierarchy, led by Evangelos Marinakis, will need to act swiftly if they hope to avoid losing a second key figure in what could be a transformative off-season.
In short: the clock is ticking—and unless Forest resolve Aina’s future soon, they may find themselves outmaneuvered by Europe’s big players once again.
Alious
