Williams ‘relishing prospect of working under Cooper’
NOTTINGHAM Forest are reportedly in “advanced talks” with Liverpool over a permanent deal for right-back Neco Williams.
The Wales international was quickly identified as a key target for Steve Cooper this summer following the club’s promotion to the Premier League.
Williams is likely to be a like-for-like replacement for Djed Spence who looks to be moving to Tottenham Hotspur this summer.
As reported by the Telegraph, negotiations with Liverpool ‘progressed’ this week with Forest said to be closing in on a £16 million agreement with Jurgen Klopp’s side. The report adds that Williams is “expected” to complete a move to the City Ground by the end of the week.
The full-back played eight times for Liverpool last season with just one of those appearances coming in the Premier League. He spent the second half of the campaign on loan with Championship winners Fulham where he caught the eye.
It is said the Cottagers have also been interested in a permanent deal this summer, but Forest look to have won the race for the 21-year-old. Williams is reported to be “relishing the prospect” of working under Cooper in the upcoming season.
Should he complete a move to the City Ground, Williams would become the fifth signing of the transfer window.
Forward Taiwo Awoniyi, goalkeeper Dean Henderson and defenders Giulian Biancone and Moussa Niakhate have already joined the club as they prepare for the Premier League.
Forest have also been linked with Bayern Munich left-back Omar Richards. The former Reading man is said to be priced at around £8.5 million this summer.
Awoniyi and Biancone have both signed on permanent deals, while Henderson joined on loan from Manchester United.
Left-sided centre-back Niakhate became Forest’s fourth signing on Wednesday night as Cooper’s side kickoff their pre-season schedule tonight against Coventry City.
The City Ground’s next arrival could be goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, but a deal is reportedly waiting on former Reds loanee Arijanet Muric.
According to The Telegraph, Hennessey is close to joining Forest and becoming number two to Henderson.
However, the move for the 35-yearold Wales international is awaiting Burnley’s signing of Muric from Manchester City.
Muric, 23, spent the 2019/20 campaign on loan at Forest, making only five appearances and conceding nine.
The Kosovo international has recently returned from a loan spell with Turkish side Adana Demirspor, where he conceded 38 goals in 32 games.
He is reportedly set to join Vincent Kompany’s side this summer as the Clarets aim for an instant return to the top flight.
FOREST HAVE EDGE OVER FULHAM IN BID TO SIGN LIVERPOOL RIGHT-BACK