Ola Aina in action looking annoyed with Dodo looking at him also in action
Ola Aina in action looking annoyed with Dodo looking at him also in action
Ola Aina's position at Nottingham Forest could be under threat as they eye a move for Fiorentina star Dodo.
Oliver Glasner is planning some big changes at the City Ground this summer after being appointed as Forest's new manager.
The Austrian is set to be backed in the market by chairman Evangelos Marinakis, after he raised an issue with the lack of funds made available to him at Crystal Palace.
His likely switch to a back-three is set to see the Reds target numerous defensive additions, with Fiorentina full-back Dodo emerging onto their radar.
Dodo is adept at playing wing-back, as well as in a back-four, on the right flank, meaning he would be competing with Aina for a spot in Glasner's side if he arrived in the East Midlands.
Aina struggled with injuries throughout last season but remained Forest's first-choice right back under several different managers.
Dodo could be Ola Aina's right-back successor at Nottingham Forest
Aina has been at Forest for three seasons now, enjoying a particularly impressive 2024-25 campaign as they finished seventh under Nuno Espirito Santo.
He struggled to build on such fine form last season, with a serious hamstring injury ruling him out for four months over winter as he also missed the last five matches of the campaign.
Sources have revealed to Football Insider that Forest are interested in Dodo, who has been a Serie A regular for Fiorentina since 2022.
He is just over two years younger than Aina, at 27, while he is much smaller in height at five feet and five inches, compared to the Forest man at six foot tall.
Dodo featured in 36 league games to Aina's 18 last term, and played over 1500 more minutes too.
He registered three more goal contributions than the Nigeria international, and also created 51 chances to his nine.
Dodo ended his Serie A season with a better accurate pass rate and successful dribble rate, but less accurate long balls per 90 than Aina in the Premier League.
Aina comes out on top in several defensive statistics for his league campaign, though, such as successful tackles, blocks, clearances and interceptions per 90.
What has Dodo said about his future at Fiorentina?
The 27-year-old is yet to win a senior call-up for Brazil, despite being capped at several youth levels.
He harbours ambitions of breaking through internationally, and may feel as if he needs to leave Fiorentina to do so, with less than a year left on his current contract as talks stall over a new deal.
Dodo refused to commit to the club when asked about his future in May, saying: “It’s hard to say; let’s see what happens. I haven’t met with anyone from the club yet to discuss it, and I hope to do so, but I’m leaving it all in my agent’s hands.”