Newcastle United to open talks with Nottingham Forest star over summer switch with Liverpool also keen

After Nottingham Forest did their best Chelsea impression a couple of years ago, buying any players with a pulse before whittling down their squad, it's little surprise that they managed to unearth a few gems.

Indeed, Nottingham Forest have surprised everyone this season with their performance in the Premier League, and while they have gone off the boil a bit lately, this will be looked at as an impressive season for Forest.

However, given some of the talent they have at their disposal, it really shouldn't be that much of a shock that they are where they are.

They may not have many 'big names' in their ranks, but they have players who have bags of talent and a good attitude, and now other clubs are looking to them to see who they can nab off them in the summer.

Newcastle are one of several Premier League clubs keen on Ola Aina from Nottingham Forest

Newcastle United have long held an interest in winger Anthony Elanga, and we're sure that there won't be many Newcastle fans who wouldn't take Elliot Anderson back if given the opportunity, but it's right-back Ola Aina who has caught the Magpies' eye, according to Caught Offside.

They are reporting that Liverpool are looking to Aina to replace Real Madrid-bound Trent Alexander-Arnold, but also that Newcastle hold a strong interest in the 28-year-old.

Chelsea and Tottenham are also interested in the English-born Nigerian international with Nottingham Forest braced for a bidding war this summer.

Newcastle will need full-back cover in the summer if Kieran Trippier leaves

Tino Livramento has come on leaps and bounds since his £32 million move from Southampton, and Kieran Trippier has undergone a renaissance of late, although his poor display against Aston Villa on Saturday showed exactly why we need more depth.

Livramento is currently covering Lewis Hall at left-back, but when he returns to the right-flank next season, he may not have Trippier there as back-up, which means Newcastle will have to delve into the transfer market for cover at full-back.

Ola Aina has proved this season that he has what it takes to perform in the Premier League, and his pace and composure are great traits that Newcastle will be looking for in a Trippier replacement.

The competition is fierce, though, and if Liverpool pitch a move to him that he'd be the replacement for Alexander-Arnold, that would likely be too good to turn down.