“Newcastle Set to SHOCK Premier League with MEGA Deal for ‘Hidden Gem’ Star Howe CAN’T Resist!”
Newcastle United Eye Summer Move for “Underrated” Forest Defender
Newcastle United are reportedly preparing to initiate discussions over the potential signing of Nottingham Forest’s right-back Ola Aina, who has been described as “underrated.”
A summer switch to St James’ Park could be on the cards as the Magpies look to strengthen their squad.
Champions League Setback for Newcastle
Despite a strong run of form and a recent EFL Cup triumph over Liverpool, Newcastle faced a setback in their pursuit of Champions League football.
They suffered a 4-1 defeat away to Aston Villa, with Fabian Schar’s first-half equaliser proving futile as Villa dominated.
The result puts a dent in Eddie Howe’s team’s top-four ambitions. While the Magpies remain third in the Premier League, they now hold only a one-point lead over Manchester City, who beat Everton 2-0, and sit just two points ahead of Forest and Villa, currently in fifth and sixth place.
With five games left in the league, the battle for Champions League qualification is heating up. A top-five finish is seen as vital for Newcastle—not only for prestige but also to attract high-calibre signings in the summer window.
Newcastle Target Ola Aina for Defensive Reinforcements
According to Caught Offside, Newcastle are expected to begin talks with Aina’s representatives in the coming weeks.
Tottenham Hotspur are also reportedly interested, while Liverpool and Chelsea have been loosely linked as well.
Right-back is seen as a priority position for Newcastle to address this summer. Kieran Trippier, now 34, is nearing the twilight of his career, and while Tino Livramento is a promising talent, he still needs time to fully develop.
Aina, 28, could offer an ideal solution. The Nigerian international has been one of Nottingham Forest’s standout performers this season, earning praise for his consistent displays and defensive reliability.
Analyst Ben Mattinson has labelled him “underrated,” and his performances back that up—starting 30 of Forest’s 33 league matches and averaging 2.9 clearances per game.
Earning £40,000 per week, Aina brings valuable Premier League experience, which would allow him to integrate quickly into Howe’s side.
Beyond the pitch, his engaging social media presence could make him a fan favourite at St James’ Park.
With Champions League qualification still within reach, Newcastle’s interest in proven top-flight players like Aina reflects their ambition to continue building a squad capable of competing at the highest level.
