Championship outfits Derby County and West Bromwich Albion reportedly wanted Ola Aina before he left Chelsea for Serie A team Torino.
Ola Aina is one of a number of youngsters thriving after leaving Chelsea on loan in the summer. The Nigerian right-back has really impressed with Torino in Serie A – leaving Derby County and West Brom wondering what might have been.
The Express and Star reported in August that both Championship clubs were keen on a player who shone in the second tier with Hull City during the 2017/18 campaign.
But despite West Brom’s obvious need for a right-back, and Derby manager Frank Lampard’s connections at Stamford Bridge, both The Rams and The Baggies missed out with Aina broadening his horizons in Italy instead.
The 22-year-old has started eight of his 11 Serie A games so for under the former Watford boss Walter Mazzarri. And, according to Tuttosport, Torino have been so impressed that they are hopnig to land Aina on a permanent basis when the transfer window opens with a £9 million deal apparently on the cards.
Clearly, Aina is benefiting from his time in Italy and it is interesting to wonder whether he would have progressed so quickly if he’d moved to Pride Park or The Hawthorns instead.
What is clear, however, is that he is rapidly becoming one that got away for Darren Moore and Frank Lampard.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
