Neco Williams Eyes Move to Manchester United Amid Liverpool Interest
Neco Williams has never been short of big decisions. Leaving Liverpool for regular football at Nottingham Forest was one. The next could define the prime of his career.
According to fresh reports, the Wales international is now keen on a move to Manchester United in this summer’s window – and the attraction is clear.
United interest grows as Williams eyes step up
BBC Sport revealed on July 9 that Manchester United had registered their interest in Williams and were monitoring his situation at Forest, where talks over a new contract are ongoing. Forest, for their part, have been confident he would eventually commit to fresh terms.
That confidence is being tested.
TEAMtalk now report that Williams is ready to join United, with sources close to the player indicating that a switch to Old Trafford “would particularly appeal” to the 25-year-old, despite his long association with Liverpool, whose academy he came through.
No formal bid has landed on Forest’s desk yet. But the direction of travel is obvious: Williams is open to a move, and United sit at the front of the queue.
He is said to be eager to test himself at what he views as a bigger club – and particularly at Manchester United – after two seasons at Forest in which he has grown into a Premier League regular, operating mainly at left-back but also on his natural right side.
Competition building for a versatile full-back
United are not alone. Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur have both been credited with interest in Williams, whose blend of energy, delivery and two-footed versatility makes him an attractive option in a market short on high-level full-backs.
The pull of United appears strongest. The prospect of working under Michael Carrick has been highlighted as a key factor in his thinking, with the former midfielder’s growing reputation on the training ground adding an extra layer of appeal to the Old Trafford project.
Forest, though, are not resigned to losing him. They are in active negotiations over a new deal that would include a pay rise, a clear signal of how central they see Williams to their plans. With his current contract running until the summer of 2029, the Midlands club hold all the leverage they need to demand a substantial fee if they do decide to cash in.
Liverpool’s quiet interest in a busy summer at Old Trafford
Any sizeable move for Williams would be felt 70 miles down the road at Anfield.
Liverpool inserted a 15% sell-on clause when they sold him to Forest in 2022 for a total package of £17.5m, as reported at the time by Fabrizio Romano. That clause now looms large. A big transfer for Williams would hand the Reds a tidy windfall without them lifting a finger.
Williams made 33 senior appearances for Liverpool, scoring six goals, before opting for a fresh start at Forest in search of consistent minutes. That decision has paid off in terms of development; now it could pay off financially for his former club.
United, meanwhile, have already shown they are prepared to back their new structure under INEOS. Andrey Santos has arrived from Chelsea for £50m, while they have triggered the £35m release clause in Youri Tielemans’s Aston Villa contract.
Full-back, though, remains a live area of focus. If United turn their interest into a concrete offer, Forest will be tested, Williams will be tempted, and Liverpool will be counting.
