Neco Williams today: Man Utd and Newcastle register interest

160 appearances for Nottingham Forest have turned Neco Williams from a £12m signing into one of the club’s most watched players this summer. Manchester United and Newcastle United have both registered interest in the 25-year-old Wales international while Forest continue talks over an improved contract. The key point is that Forest are trying to keep a player whose value has risen through consistency and versatility, not react to an expiring deal.

The Bottom Line

• Manchester United and Newcastle United are among the Premier League clubs to have registered interest in Williams.
• Forest are discussing an improved contract with the defender and remain confident he will stay.
• Williams has three years left on his current deal, so Forest are not dealing with an immediate contract deadline.
• He made 53 appearances in all competitions last season and has reached 160 appearances for Forest.
• His ability to play on either side of defence is one of the reasons the transfer interest carries weight.

Breaking It Down

Williams joined Forest from Liverpool in July 2022, with the BBC reporting a fee of £12m. Since then, he has become a regular rather than a short-term solution, passing 150 appearances and reaching 160 according to several of the reports supplied for this story. Last season added another layer to his profile: he played 53 times in all competitions, with most of those outings coming at left-back.

That workload helps explain why Forest want to improve his terms despite the fact that he still has three years remaining on his current deal. The talks are about rewarding performances and protecting a player who has become increasingly important. Forest remain confident of an agreement, but the interest from Manchester United and Newcastle gives Williams’ camp more options and makes those negotiations harder to keep in isolation.

For Manchester United, the attraction is tied to the full-back positions. The supplied reports say the club are looking to add competition in defence, while Williams offers the ability to operate on the left or the right. Newcastle have also registered interest, placing Forest in the familiar position of trying to strengthen their own squad while larger Premier League rivals examine one of their most reliable performers.

The wording matters. The BBC reports that the clubs have registered interest while contract talks continue. That places the story at the stage where Williams’ future is being tested from two directions at once: Forest are trying to secure him on better terms, while rival clubs are checking whether there is a route to a transfer. Readers can follow the BBC report on Williams for the central account of the interest and negotiations.

Why This Matters

Williams is not attracting attention because of one isolated run of form. His value to Forest comes from volume, reliability and tactical flexibility. He made 37 Premier League appearances last season according to Sports Mole, scoring twice and registering three assists in the competition, while his broader season total reached 53 appearances.

For Forest supporters, the transfer interest raises a straightforward squad-building question. The Nottingham Post says the club have already sanctioned the British-record departure of Elliot Anderson, so losing another established player would reduce the quality available to head coach Oliver Glasner. From a wider Premier League perspective, the story also shows why versatile, league-proven defenders draw attention: one player who can cover two full-back roles gives a squad more options across a long season.

There is also a Liverpool angle. Liverpool.com reports that Liverpool are believed to hold a 15% sell-on clause, which means a future transfer could carry a financial benefit for Williams’ former club. The immediate issue, though, remains at the City Ground: Forest have a player under contract until 2029, rival interest is growing, and contract talks are continuing.

What Comes Next

The next confirmed step is the continuation of talks between Williams and Forest over improved terms. Forest remain confident he will agree to stay, while Manchester United and Newcastle are among the clubs whose interest now sits in the background of those negotiations.

No transfer timetable is set out in the supplied reports. The story will move when one of two things happens: Forest reach a new agreement with Williams, or an interested club turns its attention into a more concrete approach.

FAQ

Which clubs are interested in Neco Williams?

Manchester United and Newcastle United are among the Premier League clubs reported to have registered interest in the Nottingham Forest defender. The interest has emerged while Forest are talking to Williams about an improved contract.

How long is Neco Williams under contract at Nottingham Forest?

Williams has three years left on his current Forest deal, according to the BBC reports supplied for this story. That gives Forest a strong contractual position as they discuss improved terms.

How many games did Neco Williams play last season?

Williams made 53 appearances in all competitions last season, according to the Nottingham Post and Sports Mole. Sports Mole also reports 37 Premier League appearances, with two goals and three assists in the competition.

How many appearances has Neco Williams made for Nottingham Forest?

Several supplied reports put Williams on 160 appearances for Forest. He joined from Liverpool in July 2022 and has since established himself as a regular full-back.

Can Neco Williams play on both sides of defence?

Yes. The supplied reports describe Williams as capable of operating on either side, although most of his appearances last season came at left-back. That versatility is one of the reasons his situation is attracting interest.