Neco Williams Eyes Manchester United Move Amid Forest Talks
Neco Williams is ready to test himself on a bigger stage – and he wants that stage to be Old Trafford.
The Nottingham Forest full-back, once a promising academy graduate at Liverpool, is understood to be keen on a move to Manchester United this summer, with the prospect of playing under Michael Carrick a major pull, according to TEAMtalk.
United circle as Forest hold their ground
BBC Sport revealed on July 9 that United had registered their interest in Williams, opening the door to what could become one of the more intriguing defensive moves of the window. Talks between Forest and the Wales international over a new contract are ongoing, and the Midlands club have been confident that he will eventually commit his future at the City Ground.
That confidence is now being tested.
TEAMtalk report that Williams is “ready to join” United in this window and is “open to testing himself at a bigger club, particularly Manchester United”. Sources close to the player are said to believe that a switch to Old Trafford holds particular appeal, even with his long-standing Liverpool ties.
For Forest, that is a problem. For Liverpool, it could be a windfall.
From Liverpool prospect to Premier League target
Williams came through Liverpool’s academy and broke into the senior side with promise and personality. He made 33 appearances for the club, scoring six goals, before moving to Forest in the summer of 2022 as part of their post-promotion rebuild.
The deal, worth a total of £17.5m including add-ons, came with a crucial detail. As Fabrizio Romano reported at the time, Liverpool inserted a 15% sell-on clause into the agreement. Any substantial fee Forest now demand for the defender will send a slice of profit back to Anfield.
At 25, Williams is no longer the raw youngster learning his trade. Over the past two seasons he has become a key figure at Forest, operating mainly at left-back but also offering versatility on the right. That flexibility, combined with his energy and aggression, has put him firmly on the radar of several Premier League clubs.
A three-way chase – with one clear preference
United are not alone. Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur have also expressed interest in the Wales international, who has grown into a regular at international level and a dependable presence in the top flight.
Yet the direction of travel feels clear. TEAMtalk’s update stresses that a move to United “would particularly appeal” to Williams, and that he is “keen on moving amid interest from the two Premier League clubs, although no formal approaches have yet been made”.
So the stage is set. A player tempted. A club holding firm. And two more heavyweights lurking in the background.
Forest, with Williams under contract until 2029, are in a position of strength. They are in talks over a new deal that would include a pay rise, and they know any departure would have to come with a substantial fee attached. The Tricky Trees are not under pressure to sell – and they will not be in the mood to do anyone a favour.
United’s rebuild gathers pace
For United, Williams is another potential piece in a broader reshaping of the squad under INEOS.
They have already moved decisively in this window. Andrey Santos has arrived from Chelsea in a £50m deal, adding energy and bite to the midfield. The club have also activated the £35m release clause in Youri Tielemans’s contract at Aston Villa, further underlining their intent to refresh the core of the side.
Now attention is edging towards the back line, where full-back options have been a recurring concern. Williams, with his Premier League experience, positional versatility and upward trajectory, fits the profile of a defender who can grow with a new project rather than merely plug a gap.
The attraction is obvious. So is the complication.
Any agreement would have to satisfy Forest’s valuation, reward Liverpool via the sell-on clause, and persuade a player tied down until 2029 to force a career-defining move. The interest is there. The desire from the player is there.
The question now is simple: will Manchester United turn admiration into an offer big enough to break Forest’s resolve – and trigger Liverpool’s unexpected bonus from a rivalry that rarely sleeps?
