By Dayo Awoniyi
Chelsea are reportedly targeting a move for Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina, whose contract expires at the end of the current season, making him a potential free-agent signing this summer.
The 28-year-old Nigerian international has been a standout performer for Forest this term, racking up 30 appearances, two goals, and one assist.
His consistent displays have caught the eye of several top clubs, with Chelsea among those keen to secure his services.
With the Blues looking to reinforce their right-back position, Aina has emerged as a top candidate. Having previously been part of Chelsea’s youth system, a reunion at Stamford Bridge could be on the horizon.
As Aina’s contract nears its conclusion, Chelsea would be able to sign him on a free transfer, making him an appealing option for the club as they aim to strengthen their squad for next season.
If the move comes to fruition, Aina could add valuable depth to Chelsea’s defensive lineup.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
