Nuno provides contract update on key Nottingham Forest trio
by Sarah Clapson · NottinghamshireLiveNuno Espirito Santo is confident there is little chance any of his players will be distracted by contract talks as Nottingham Forest prioritise getting their key men tied down.
Talks have taken place over new contracts for full-back Ola Aina, striker Chris Wood and playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White. The Reds are also keen for Murillo to put pen to paper on fresh terms.
The Brazilian defender, whose current deal runs until 2028, is not short of admirers thanks to his sparkling form in the Garibaldi. However, discussions about a new contract are said to be progressing well.
“There are things in the club that each one of us takes part in. I don’t take care of that part,” head coach Nuno said when quizzed about Murillo’s contract talks ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup tie with Luton Town (3pm kick-off).
“What I see is they are happy. Not only Murillo but all the players are focused and happy, so I hope everything reaches good terms.
“Murillo is improving a lot of aspects of his game. The partnership with Nikola (Milenkovic), and also with Morato, has been very important in terms of the way they help each other. As with all the players, I told them there is always a lot of room to improve.”
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An automatic year’s extension is set to be triggered on Aina’s contract, which is due to expire in the summer. However, talks have taken place regarding a further extension for the Nigeria international. Wood’s current deal is due to run out at the end of the campaign but the Reds are keen to retain his services. As with Murillo, Nuno is certain the duo are focused on matters on the pitch rather than anything going on off it.
“No, I don’t think there’s an issue on that,” the Portuguese said. “They are working very well.”
“Things are going well,” he added on the situations of Aina and Wood. “The people responsible for that part of the club are taking care of it.
“It helps when a player is happy, as a club there is no issue in terms of changing. What we want is our players to feel good. We provide the right atmosphere and then they have to do their jobs on the pitch.”