Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo says discussions over new deals with three of the club’s most important players are “going well”.
Full-back Ola Aina has been linked with Manchester City and is out of contract at the end of the season, despite being top scorer with 12 goals. Chris Wood the terms also expire.
“I hope everything goes well [conclusion]” said Santo, who was also asked about discussions between Forest and Murillo to extend the centre-back’s contract beyond 2028.
“I think things are going well. The people responsible for this part of the club look after it.
“It helps when a player is happy at a club and there is no problem changing what we want: we want our players to feel good and we provide the right atmosphere, but then they have to do their thing. work in the field.
Attention turns to the @EmiratesFACup. 🔜 pic.twitter.com/cR9IT7fQdJ
– Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) January 8, 2025
Aina, Murillo and Wood “happy” in Forest
Aina and Murillo were almost ever present in Forest’s first 20 league matches of the season, with only Arsenal bettering their record by 19 goals conceded.
Wood’s 12 goals make the 33-year-old the sixth top scorer in the top flight, helped by a run of eight in 10 matches at the start of the season.
“What I see is that they are happy,” Santo said, adding that the visit of second division strugglers Luton Town to the FA Cup third round Saturday (3:00 p.m. GMT) is a “good opportunity” for the team’s players to “have fun and do their job properly.”
“They fit well and work very well. We are going to make changes because every player deserves to start the match. We see them working and we demand a lot.
You will never beat Murillo. 🎶⛔️ pic.twitter.com/c34qLa7eEx
– Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) January 7, 2025
Forest v Luton
Although it is third in the Premier LeagueSanto said the strong team spirit evident among his players was “still not enough.”
“We still have things to do,” he maintained. “But these special moments mean a lot to everyone and the team. When they have these special moments, everyone sees how happy they are.
Forest are on a six-game winning run and aiming to progress beyond the FA Cup quarter-finals for the fourth time since reaching the title. final in 1990/91, when they lost 2-1 to Tottenham.
