Manchester United eye Neco Williams as Forest full-back attracts Premier League interest

Manchester United are monitoring Nottingham Forest full-back Neco Williams as a potential summer signing, with BBC Sport reporting that Newcastle United have also registered interest in the Wales international.

Williams, 25, signed a long-term contract with Forest in July 2024 that runs until 2029, yet speculation over a possible extension has done little to quiet rumours of a departure. His contractual situation at the City Ground is described as unclear, and that ambiguity appears to have attracted attention from two of the Premier League’s bigger clubs.

United have already moved quickly in the summer window, completing deals for midfielder Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Ederson from Atalanta. The reported interest in Williams suggests the club is also assessing options at full-back as Ruben Amorim continues to reshape his squad.

Williams joined Forest from Liverpool in the summer of 2022 in a deal worth approximately £17 million and has established himself as a key figure at the City Ground in the three seasons since. His consistency at right-back has made him one of the more reliable defenders in the division.

The story carries an added layer of history. Williams came through Manchester United’s academy before leaving for Liverpool at the age of nine — a decision that, as he explained in an interview with Forest’s club website last year, surprised his family.

“All my family are United supporters, so everyone thought I would choose them, but I chose Liverpool,” Williams said. “It’s hard to remember exactly why, but I think it came down to where I felt most comfortable and at that time it was Liverpool.”

Whether United’s interest translates into a formal bid remains to be seen. Forest are under no immediate pressure to sell given the length of Williams’s current deal, and any move would likely require a significant outlay.