Nottingham Forest ticked off an important piece of summer business earlier this week when they tied defender Willy Boly down to a new deal.
The centre-back isn't exactly one of the first names on head coach Nuno Espirito Santo's team-sheet but he is still an important figure at the City Ground.
Boly can be a useful option as the Reds contend with additional games next season, courtesy of their place in the Conference League, and the experience he offers will be vital.
The 34-year-old's deal had been due to expire at the end of this month but he is now contracted to the club until 2026. And Forest will hope he is not the only player to put pen to paper on fresh terms.
The Reds need to make signings, of course, as they prepare to compete in Europe. But they also still have some contract situations to sort out.
Getting others to follow in Boly's footsteps could arguably as important for Forest as any new additions they oversee. Below, NottinghamshireLive takes a look at the key deals for the Reds to sort.
Ola Aina
**Current contract:**A clause in the full-back’s contract was activated once it was confirmed Forest had avoided relegation last season. It means he is tied down to the club until 2026.
Discussions have taken place regarding longer terms for Aina. In the meantime, he has no shortage of admirers. Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Roma, AC Milan, Besiktas and Galatasaray are among the teams to have been credited with an interest in him.
NottinghamshireLive says:Aina will go down as one of the Reds’ best pieces of transfer business of recent years, having arrived as a free agent. He has been an integral figure on and off the pitch Trentside since then.
Talk of a longer deal has been going on for some time and other clubs have been sniffing around while the situation remains unresolved. Getting the defender tied down sooner rather than later is a must.
Neco Williams
Current contract: Runs until 2026, following his £17 million switch from Liverpool in the summer of 2022. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has previously said the Reds are working on fresh terms for the Welshman as they look to fend off “any interest”.
NottinghamshireLive says:Williams has just 12 months remaining on his deal. He was superb in the Garibaldi last season so it is no surprise rivals might be eyeing him up.
Forest will not want to run the risk of the defender going into the final year of his contract, with the prospect of him leaving on a free next summer. He more than deserves improved terms, too, thanks to his excellent form and the role he has played in getting the club into Europe.
Callum Hudson-Odoi
Current contract: In the same situation as Williams, with his deal having just 12 months left to run. Signed for three years when he joined from Chelsea for an initial £3m in 2023.
NottinghamshireLive says: Forest know they got an absolute bargain when they snapped up Hudson-Odoi. It has looked more of a steal with every starring performance from the winger - and there have been many.
Hudson-Odoi is integral to the way Nuno’s side play and he still has plenty of room for improvement. As with Williams, the Reds need to avoid any prospect of losing the 24-year-old for nothing.
Other clubs are already beginning to sense an opportunity. Napoli are reportedly particularly keen to prise him away from the City Ground this summer, while AC Milan, Roma and Manchester United have also been linked.
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Morgan Gibbs-White
Current contract:The attacker is tied down until 2027, following his move from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer of 2022. There has been talk of a new deal for a while, but he is also not short of potential suitors.
NottinghamshireLive says: After a lot of noise, Manchester City's interest in the England international has seemingly cooled. But other clubs may still try their luck and test Forest's resolve to hang on to their star man.
It would be a real statement from the Reds to oversee Gibbs-White committing his future to the club. Rewarding him for his sparkling performances is surely a must-do.
Nuno Espirito Santo
Current contract: The Portuguese penned a two-and-a-half-year deal when he replaced Steve Cooper at the helm in December 2023. Reports suggesting a new contract being in the offing emerged earlier this year, although it was said sorting the head coach’s future could wait until the end of the season.
NottinghamshireLive: Nuno oversaw a remarkable transformation on the banks of the Trent last term. Forest being back in Europe for the first time in three decades represents an incredible achievement.
Talk of a new deal was, understandably, put on hold until the end of the 2024/25 season. But now the summer is here, sorting out the Portuguese's future has to be a priority. Building on last term's progress has to be the aim, and Nuno is central to that.
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