Chelsea have entered the race for Nigerian defender Ola Aina who was sold by the Blues under former manager Jose Mourinho for a paltry summer six years ago. Nigerian defender Ola Aina could be set for a sensational return to Chelsea, the club that sold him for just £9m under Jose Mourinho six years ago. The Super Eagles and Nottingham Forest right-back, now 28, has caught the Blues’ eye with his stellar performances in a breakout 2024-25 season that has Forest sitting third in the Premier League, on course for Champions League football. PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Soccer News in Nigeria from Pulse Sports Aina’s journey began at Chelsea’s academy, joining at under-11 level and eventually making six first-team appearances. But in 2019, Mourinho’s tenure saw him shipped off to Torino for a modest £9m. After over 100 games in Italy, Aina joined Forest on a free transfer in 2023, where he’s since clocked 52 appearances and become one of the league’s standout full-backs. This season, he’s been near-ever-present, blending defensive grit with attacking flair, qualities that have Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City all in the chase, according to Chelsea news via TBR Football. Chelsea’s interest stems from a need for reliable cover at right-back. While captain Reece James and Malo Gusto are talented, James’s injury woes have left gaps. Aina, scouted by the Blues this term, offers durability and form, having barely missed a minute for Nuno Espirito Santo’s transformed Forest side. From relegation battlers to European contenders, Forest’s rise has made Aina a hot commodity. The irony isn’t lost on fans: a player Mourinho let go for peanuts could now command a hefty fee. Chelsea face stiff competition from Liverpool and Manchester City, both drawn to Aina’s versatility and Premier League pedigree. For Aina, a Stamford Bridge comeback would cap a remarkable arc, proof that sometimes, what’s sold cheap can turn to gold.