Neco’s said to be training alone at Reds as switch to Forest looks more and more likely
NECO Williams is reportedly training alone at Liverpool as he seemingly edges closer to an exit from Anfield this summer.
Nottingham Forest remain keen on making a move for the Welshman, with boss Steve Cooper eager to strengthen his wing-back options ahead the Reds’ return to the Premier League this season.
An opening bid of around £11m is already believed to have been knocked back by Liverpool, but Williams still looks highly likely to move on this summer, with first team opportunities on Merseyside once again likely to be limited, particularly after the capture of Calvin Ramsey from Aberdeen.
According to the Mirror, the Wales international is currently training by himself at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre, despite the Reds listing him as one of the 19 players set to return to pre-season training.
It adds that no suitable offer, whether permanent or on loan, has yet been lodged, with Liverpool seemingly valuing the player closer to around £15m.
Williams enjoyed an impressive six-month stint on loan at Fulham last season, netting two goals and earning one assist in 14 Championship games for the Cottagers.
Fulham were unsurprisingly linked with sealing a return for the 21-yearold this summer, although the capture of former Newcastle United man Kevin Mbabu appears to have contributed to cooling their interest. Southampton have also been mentioned as a potential destination, but it appears Forest are leading the race for his signature.
Indeed, The Athletic claims Forest are hoping to have a deal in place for Williams, and Bayern Munich leftback Omar Richards, in place before the weekend.
Were he to complete a move to the City Ground, Williams would link up with fellow Wales international Brennan Johnson, who recently put pen to paper on a new deal with his boyhood club.
Wales manager Rob Page, who is set to lead his country into their first
World Cup for 64 years this winter, will be hoping both players can rack up plenty of game time ahead of the showpiece in Qatar, with Wales set to take on the United States in their first game on November 21.
Another man that will hope to be there is striker Tyler Roberts, who is reportedly closing in on a move to QPR.
The Daily Mail claim the striker will sign on a season-long loan with a view to a permanent £4.5m move next summer. Meanwhile, back on Merseyside, Lewis Koumas, the son of Cardiff City and Wales hero Jason, has signed on as a scholar at Liverpool this week.
Koumas netted his first goal for the club’s under-18s side against Newcastle United towards the end of last season, and has been tipped for a bright future at Anfield, although he’s not the only Welsh starlet to attract attention.
Highly-rated left-back Owen Beck featured twice in Jurgen Klopp’s team in the Carabao Cup last season, and was an unused substitute in three Premier League matches.
The 19-year-old is seen as a player that could eventually force his way into the starting XI on a regular basis at Anfield, but he is nevertheless set to gain experience elsewhere over the coming campaign.
A number of League One clubs were believed to be interested in making a move, but Beck is now expected to head to Portuguese side Famalicao.