TBR Football understand Chelsea are interested in signing Ola Aina from Nottingham Forest.
The Nigeria international has enjoyed a tremendous 2024/25 campaign so far – helping the Reds sit third in the Premier League and on course to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
| Position | Team | Played MP |
Won W |
Drawn D |
Lost L |
For GF |
Against GA |
Diff GD |
Points Pts |
| 1 |  |
29 | 21 | 7 | 1 | 69 | 27 | 42 | 70 |
| 2 |  |
29 | 16 | 10 | 3 | 53 | 24 | 29 | 58 |
| 3 |  |
29 | 16 | 6 | 7 | 49 | 35 | 14 | 54 |
| 4 |  |
29 | 14 | 7 | 8 | 53 | 37 | 16 | 49 |
Now, sources have informed TBR Football that Chelsea are interested in bringing Ola Aina back to Stamford Bridge – although the Blues face competition.
Chelsea want Ola Aina
Graeme Bailey – Chief Correspondent for TBR Football – has now been told that Chelsea are doing work on a deal to lure the Nottingham Forest No.34 back to west London.
Chelsea offloaded the man born in Southwark to Torino back in June 2019 for a sum of just £8.7m, after he had spent 12 years at Stamford Bridge, joining the academy in 2007 before debuting in 2015.
Nottingham Forest are trying to tie Aina down to a new long-term contract, with his current deal technically expiring this summer, although the Reds have an option to extend it by 12 months, which they will activate.
TBR Football understand Chelsea have been scouting the 28-year-old closely in recent weeks.
However, sources also stress that Liverpool and Manchester City are interested in Aina, with both sides in the market for a new right-back this summer.
TBR Football are aware Chelsea also want Marc Guehi back – another former academy star who was offloaded.
“I was knackered so I thought I might as well hit it!”
The science behind Ola Aina’s wonder goal v West Ham 😅 pic.twitter.com/kiY5GG3Xc4
— Premier League (@premierleague) November 5, 2024
Furthermore, there is interest in Aina from the Saudi Pro League, where Michael Emenalo – Director of the Saudi Pro League and formerly of Chelsea too – is taking a look.
How Jose Mourinho humiliated Ola Aina at Chelsea in July 2015
Back in the summer of 2015, Chelsea were taken to the United States by Jose Mourinho for a pre-season clash against the New York Red Bulls.
Aina, just 18 at the time, was thrown on at the interval with Chelsea leading 1-0, but endured a nightmare as the Major League Soccer outfit raced into a 2-1 lead within just 25 minutes, prompting the Portuguese coach to substitute the teenager.
Speaking about that moment on The Beautiful Game Podcast, the Nottingham Forest star said: “There was only one time I had a bad experience with him, and I thought, this guy. We went on a pre-season tour, we were playing New York Red Bulls. Second half he said, we’re gonna make a change, Ola, you’re coming on. So I came on, and it just wasn’t clicking on my side… he subbed me off. I think I played like ten, 15 minutes… the embarrassment I felt.”
