Neco Williams Eyes Manchester United Move Amid Forest Contract Talks
Neco Williams is ready to test himself at a bigger club – and his eyes, according to reports, are firmly on Old Trafford.
The Nottingham Forest full-back, who came through Liverpool’s academy, is understood to be keen on a move to Manchester United this summer, a switch that would carry an extra twist given his Anfield roots and the sell-on clause his former club inserted into his Forest deal.
United circle as Williams weighs next step
On July 9, BBC Sport revealed that Manchester United had registered their interest in Williams, opening the door to a potential move in this window. The 25-year-old is currently in talks with Forest over a new contract, and the Midlands club have been confident he would commit his future at the City Ground.
That confidence is now being tested.
TEAMtalk report that Williams is ready to join United, with sources close to the player indicating that a move to Old Trafford “would particularly appeal” to him, despite his long association with Liverpool. He is said to be open to “testing himself at a bigger club, particularly Manchester United,” as interest gathers from several Premier League sides.
Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur have also been credited with admiration for the Wales international, who has operated mainly at left-back for Forest over the past two seasons but remains comfortable on either flank. At this stage, though, no club has made a formal approach.
Forest, for their part, are pushing back. The club are in negotiations with Williams over a new deal that would include a pay rise, determined not to lose a key defender who is under contract until the summer of 2029. With that length of deal, the Tricky Trees are in a strong position to demand a substantial fee.
Carrick’s United rebuild gathers pace
The pursuit of Williams comes as United’s new era under INEOS continues to take shape. The club have already moved decisively in midfield, completing the signing of Andrey Santos from Chelsea in a £50 million deal and activating the £35 million release clause in Youri Tielemans’s contract at Aston Villa.
Full-back is clearly next on the agenda. Williams, 25, offers versatility, Premier League experience and the kind of energy modern full-backs are expected to bring in both directions. The prospect of working under Michael Carrick is believed to be a major draw for the Welshman as he weighs up his future.
If United do choose to firm up their interest, they will know they are not just negotiating with Forest’s valuation, but also with the player’s growing ambition.
Liverpool watching with interest
Back on Merseyside, Liverpool will be watching developments closely. Williams made 33 senior appearances for the Reds after progressing through their youth system, scoring six goals before leaving for Forest in the summer of 2022.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano revealed at the time that Liverpool inserted a 15% sell-on clause into the deal that took Williams to the City Ground for a total fee of £17.5 million, add-ons included. Any significant sale now would therefore send a healthy slice back to Anfield.
Forest’s long contract with Williams, running to 2029, ensures they can hold out for a major sum if a bidding war breaks out between United, Newcastle and Spurs. That would suit Liverpool just fine.
For Williams, though, the calculation is simpler. Stay as a cornerstone at Forest on improved terms, or seize the chance to step into the glare of Old Trafford and everything that comes with it.
