Callum Hudson-Odoi should have an important role at Nottingham Forest this season, but his future at the club is far from certain.
With Anthony Elanga departing for Newcastle United, Hudson-Odoi has an important role to maintain the consistency of Forest’s wide play, especially if Dan Ndoye needs time to adapt to the Premier League.
Preparations for this responsibility look to be going well, too, after Hudson-Odoi revealed the intensity of Forest’s pre-season, in which he has featured in every game.
It’s full steam ahead on the pitch, then, but off it, a scenario is approaching that could see the former Chelsea man depart the City Ground.
Callum Hudson-Odoi’s contract could see him leave Nottingham Forest
In the off-season, Forest held talks with Hudson-Odoi over a new contract, with his current deal expiring in June 2026.
However, these talks don’t look to have developed into anything advanced, leading to a level of tension surrounding the Englishman’s future that Nuno Espírito Santo won’t be pleased about.
According to Tom Collomosse of the Daily Mail: “The tricky one is Callum Hudson-Odoi. The former Chelsea winger has only a year left on his contract and has not signed a new one, despite his advisors holding talks with Forest officials in Greece earlier this month. Decision time is approaching for both parties.
“[…] Hudson-Odoi’s future depends entirely on his willingness to sign a new deal, with Forest reluctant to let him leave for free next summer – even though they did pay only £3m for him two years ago.”
Heading into the summer, Hudson-Odoi was linked with Napoli as the uncertainty surrounding his contract has evidently become common knowledge.
He could still commit his future to the club with every sign suggesting he’s happy within the Forest squad. If he does, though, the Reds will hope to solve the situation quicker than they managed with Ola Aina last season.
Nottingham Forest will want to avoid Ola Aina contract situation with Hudson-Odoi
Hudson-Odoi and Aina are good friends so if anyone is going to be able to help smooth over these stalling contract talks, it could be the right-back.
Aina’s new leadership role at Forest has seen him help out Hudson-Odoi, with the best piece of advice he could offer being to avoid the elongated contract talks that nearly saw the Nigerian international leave the City Ground.
As contract talks were touted throughout the 24/25 season, Forest ended up triggering an extension in Aina’s deal to at least secure his place for the upcoming campaign.
Aina then signed a new three-year deal at Forest to remove any doubt about his future, but the fact the talks went on so long created unwanted speculation, something that both the club and Hudson-Odoi will want to avoid in his case.
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