Nottingham Forest are bracing for the probable departure of Neco Williams this summer after the Wales international won the club’s Player of the Season award in May. Williams, 25, registered six goal contributions from left-back across 53 games in all competitions last term as Forest finished 16th in the Premier League, 41 points behind leaders Arsenal, with a goal difference of minus three.
What’s driving Williams’ exit?
Forest struggled to match their previous season’s standards and finished 16th in the Premier League, 44 points from 38 games, with recent form reading DLDWW. Williams’ future is now in doubt as multiple Premier League rivals circle after he starred in the Europa League and domestically. The Reds have held contract talks but progress has stalled as Williams weighs his next move, with sources telling Football Insider that Manchester United are among the clubs keen on the full-back.
Why are Forest linked with more left-backs?
Oliver Glasner’s preferred five-back system means Forest need a specialist left-sided option. Luca Netz and Cuiabano offer cover, yet the club has been linked with Argentina World Cup star Nicolas Tagliafico, Sevilla’s Joaquin Oso, and Fenerbahce’s Archie Brown in the past week. ABC Sevilla claim Evangelos Marinakis returned with a second £5.5m bid for Oso after Forest’s initial offer was rejected. These moves suggest Forest expect Williams to leave and are preparing a succession plan.
Which clubs want Williams?
Man United are keen under Michael Carrick as they eye a new left-back signing. Williams may feel Forest lack the ambition to match his level after their 16th-place finish last season. The 25-year-old has the quality to step up after impressing in Europe and domestically, but talks with Forest have not progressed as he weighs his options. Forest’s last result was a 3-0 win over Blackburn on 22 July 2026, with recent form at 1W-2D-2L (WDDLL) and their next fixture against Bayer Leverkusen at home on 12 August 2026.
