Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has said that negotiations over new contracts with the club’s three most important players are “going well”.
Full-back Ola Ain has been linked with Manchester City and his contract expires at the end of the season, when the top scorer is 12 goals. Chris Wood deadlines also expire.
“I hope everything will be fine [conclusion],” said Santo, who was also asked about talks between Forest and Murillo about extending the centre-back’s contract beyond 2028.
“I think things are going well. The people who are responsible for that part of the club take care of that.
“It helps when the player is happy at the club and there is no problem in terms of changing what we want: we want our players to feel good and we provide the right atmosphere, but then they have to do their job on the pitch. “
The focus is on @EmiratesFACup. 🔜 pic.twitter.com/cR9IT7fQdJ
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) January 8, 2025
Aina, Murillo, Wood ‘happy’ at Forest
Aina and Murillo have been almost ever-present during Forest’s first 20 league games this season, with only Arsenal bettering their record of 19 goals conceded.
Wood’s 12 goals make the 33-year-old 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,” said Santo, adding that the visit of second division Luton Town in Third round of the FA Cup on Saturday (15:00 GMT) is a “good opportunity” for the team’s players to “enjoy and do their job properly”.
“They are fine and work very well. We will make changes because every player deserves to start the game. We see that they are working and we demand a lot.”
You will never beat Murillo. 🎶⛔️ pic.twitter.com/c34qLa7eEx
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) January 7, 2025
Forest v Luton
Despite what it is third in the Premier LeagueSanto said the strong team spirit evident among his players was “not good enough yet”.
“We still have work to do,” he asserted. “But these special moments mean a lot to everyone and the team. When they have those special moments, everyone can see how happy they are.”
Forest are on a six-match winning streak and are aiming to progress beyond the FA Cup quarter-finals for the fourth time since reaching final 1990/91, when they lost 2-1 against Tottenham.
