Ameobi may well have joined us as a free transfer, but it was a 1 year contract initially - with a performance based clause to extend by 12 months, with payrise.
At the time, we were in or just out of that first lockdown, so when triggered, he happily allowed said clause to be implemented.
We offered another 1 year extension late 2020, early 2021 - but, he's been free to talk to other clubs since January.
Derby we're very keen (genuinely) and there were some at Forest that thought he'd stay another year, but clearly not.
If a player is out of contract and wants to go, just like Yuri - there is nothing we can do other than offer daft money and that's just not viable given our position (& indeed most other UK based clubs outside of EPL).