Nottingham Forest verdict delivered as seven big decisions loom
The futures of Chris Wood and Ola Aina have been in the spotlight of late as Nottingham Forest look to tie both down to new deals.
As it stands, the duo will be out of contract in the summer. They would be free to agree a free transfer to an overseas club from January 1.
Talks have been held with both players about agreeing fresh terms, but they are not the only ones with just a few months left to run on their contracts. Below, we give our verdict on the future of those Reds players with deals set to come to an end in 2025.
Ola Aina
The defender has been a consistent performer for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side amid a fine start to the campaign. He is also a big presence in the dressing room.
There has been speculation Roma and AC Milan have been monitoring his contract situation. Getting him tied down to a new contract should be a priority for the Reds. Verdict: New deal.
Willy Boly
The Reds agreed a new one-year deal with the defender in the summer. However, they hold an option to extend those terms by a further 12 months, which would keep him at the City Ground until 2026.
Nuno praised the centre-back's contribution when he made a rare cameo appearance against Aston Villa last weekend. However, he has been linked with a switch to Saudi Arabia. Verdict: Jury’s out.
Harry Toffolo
A popular member of the squad, both with his teammates and with supporters, but game time is proving hard to come by at present. Aston Villa loanee Alex Moreno and Neco Williams are ahead of him in the left-back pecking order.
Toffolo has generally been a reliable performer when called upon. But at some point, Forest will have a few decisions to make about their left-back situation as they hold an option to sign Moreno permanently and still have Omar Richards on the books. Verdict: Summer exit.
Chris Wood
Not so long ago, it wouldn’t have come as a surprise to see the striker depart at the end of his deal. But now he is such a key figure, retaining his services is a must.
Nuno certainly knows how to get the best out of the New Zealand international, who recently became the club's all-time top scorer in the Premier League. The signs are positive that an agreement will be reached about extending his stay Trentside. Verdict: New deal.
Alex Moreno
The on-loan Aston Villa man has made a positive impression so far. He quickly settled in Trentside and has said he is happy at the club.
As mentioned above, left-back is an area Forest will surely assess come the summer. By then they will have a better idea of whether trying to sign Moreno permanently would be a good bit of business, but on the evidence so far he would be a good acquisition. Verdict: Permanent deal.
James Ward-Prowse
The West Ham United loanee put pen to paper on deadline day on a straight loan deal. Soon afterwards, Nuno praised his set-piece prowess and the experience he added to the squad.
There is no doubt Ward-Prowse is a quality player but he is yet to really make his mark in the Garibaldi. Nevertheless, he has ensured Nuno has some good options in midfield, even with Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare sidelined. Verdict: Summer exit.
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Jonathan Panzo
Currently on a season-long loan at another member of the Evangelos Marinakis stable of clubs, Rio Ave. It is difficult to see a future for the defender Trentside.
At 24, Panzo is still relatively young, but he needs to be playing regularly. That isn’t going to happen at Forest given he has featured just once for the Reds since signing in January 2022. Verdict: Summer exit.
