Dated Jan & Mar 2025 respectively. Nottingham Forest apparently have an option to extend his current contract by a year but are in talks to offer him a 2+1 year contract on improved terms.
Ola Aina has been a revelation this season. Here’s how Forest's right-back compares to Alexander-Arnold and the very best in the division
www.nytimes.com
Like his Liverpool counterpart, Aina is out of contract in the summer. Unlike Alexander-Arnold, he is unlikely to have the option of walking away for nothing.
There is a clause in his deal that will see it extended to the end of the 2025-26 season, which will be activated if he reaches a certain number of appearances — a mark he is very close to already.
Defensively, Aina’s stats are better than Alexander-Arnold’s. Aina’s “true” tackle win rate (which accounts for tackles plus challenges lost and fouls committed) is 67 per cent this season — better than Alexander-Arnold’s 58. Similarly, Alexander-Arnold has been dribbled past on 41 per cent of the occasions he was taken on, while Aina’s figure is 25.
Aina is a more solid, consistent defender, although that is also within a Forest side that adopt a deeper defensive block, which contrasts with Liverpool’s higher defensive line.
Creatively, Alexander-Arnold is — unsurprisingly — streets ahead of Aina. But probably almost every other defender too. The 1.7 open-play chances he creates far exceeds Aina’s 0.27 per 90 minutes, with an expected assists (xG) per 90 of 0.35 compared with Aina’s 0.03 per 90.
But
Aina’s most valuable quality to Forest is his ability to turn defence into attack: on a very basic level, to advance Forest up the pitch.
Aina has completed 80 carries after a defensive action this season, the most of any Premier League player. On top of that, 23 per cent of his carries are progressive, the second-highest proportion among full-backs in the division (behind Aaron Wan-Bissaka).
“That (his ability to carry the ball out of defence) is one of the characteristics we like. But defensively he is also very solid,” added Nuno.
Only Moises Caicedo and Ryan Christie have made more ball recoveries than Aina (who averages 6.13 per 90 minutes) this season in the Premier League.
Speed is also important. As revealed in a recent interview with The Athletic,
Elanga regards himself as being the fastest player at Forest. But Aina is not far behind. The rivalry between the two players on that front is a friendly one. Aina is an influential, positive figure and a popular team-mate.
En fin de contrat le 30 juin 2025, l'arrière droit nigérian Ola Aina s'apprête à signer un nouveau bail avec
africafoot.com
Aina’s current deal is due to expire in the summer, although a 12-month extension option counts in the Reds’ favour. However, discussions have taken place regarding longer terms for the former Torino man.
According to Africa Foot, negotiations should now "accelerate in the coming weeks” with Aina “set to sign” a new contract.
The report claims the Nigeria international is “preparing” to put pen to paper on a two-year deal with a further 12-month option and a salary increase included.
