A Saudi Arabian looks set to splash the cash on Super Eagles defender Ola Aina, with former Chelsea director Michael Emenalo given the task to lure the Premier League stalwart to Saudi Premier League.
Aina, as things stand, will be a free agent in less than 12 months’ time.
Aina has started every one of Nottingham Forest’s 12 Premier League games so far in 2024/25.
After finding himself in and out of the Forest XI last term, he has since ousted Neco Williams as Nuno’s first-choice right-back. Ola Aina scored a ‘sensational’ goal against West Ham – only his second in Forest colours – during the 3-0 triumph in early November too.
A rocket of a finish from outside the box that had Nuno praising his improving self-confidence in the final third.
TBR has learned that Aina does have interest from those big-spending clubs in the Middle East.
The chance to earn a potentially substantial rise on his current City Ground wages may have appealed to the Nigeria international – capped 44 times by his country – especially with Michael Emenalo leading the pursuit.
Emenalo knows Aina from his time as a technical director at Chelsea. He now oversees the whole of the Saudi Pro League in his current role, with one of his key roles being luring targets such as Aina away from European football.