Nottingham Forest’s Contract Conundrum: Four Players Facing Uncertain Futures
Nottingham Forest’s remarkable rise to the top four of the Premier League has been a testament to the club’s shrewd signings and effective player management. However, as the 2024-25 season enters its final stretch, the Reds are facing a crucial decision regarding the futures of four key players whose contracts are set to expire in the summer.
Ola Aina, Harry Toffolo, Willy Boly, and Wayne Hennessey are the four players whose contracts are ticking down, leaving their futures at the City Ground uncertain. While the club has successfully negotiated new deals with some of its key players, such as Chris Wood and Murillo, the fate of these four players remains up in the air.
Ola Aina, the Nigerian right-back, has been one of the standout performers for Nottingham Forest this season. His current contract, which was extended for an additional year in 2024, includes an automatic one-year extension clause that the club can trigger. However, reports suggest that Forest is likely to exercise this option and is keen to retain him beyond that as well. Despite this, no formal agreement has been reached yet, leaving Aina’s future uncertain.
Harry Toffolo, the left-back, has been a regular feature in Nottingham Forest’s starting lineup since joining the club in 2022. His initial two-year deal expired in January 2024, but the club exercised a one-year extension, keeping him at the City Ground until the summer of 2025. However, it is believed that Toffolo will leave the club at the end of the season and become a free agent.
Willy Boly, the French-born defender, has made 43 appearances for Nottingham Forest since joining the club in 2022. His current contract is set to expire in June 2025, and while Forest holds an option to secure Boly for another year, it is unlikely that he will stay at the club. The 34-year-old has been linked with a switch to Saudi Arabia, and it remains to be seen where he will end up next.
Wayne Hennessey, the Welsh goalkeeper, has been a bit of an enigma for Nottingham Forest. Originally signing a two-year contract in 2022, Hennessey’s deal expired in June 2024. Although it was announced that he would leave the club, Hennessey remained without a club and continued to train with Forest. In January 2025, he re-signed with Forest on a short-term deal that expires this summer. Given his lack of game time, it seems unlikely that he will be offered a longer contract. However, there is a possibility that the club could offer him a coaching role after his contract expires.
As Nottingham Forest navigates the complexities of contract negotiations, the club’s fans will be eagerly awaiting news on the futures of these four players. While some may be more likely to stay than others, one thing is certain: the Reds will need to act quickly to secure the services of their key players if they want to maintain their momentum in the Premier League.