Nottingham Forest are closing on a £16million deal to sign Neco Williams as a long-term replacement to Djed Spence.
Newly-promoted Forest, who are returning to the Premier League this season after a 23-year absence, have had a bid accepted by the Reds after negotiations on Wednesday as they seek a replacement for Spence, who shone on loan from Middlesbrough last season.
One of Forest boss Steve Cooper's transfer priorities this summer has been signing a new right wing-back to replace Spence, who looks set to move to Tottenham. The England Under-21s international flourished at the City Ground in 2021-22 and while Forest had hoped to re-sign Spence this summer, he has duly attracted interest from sides higher up the Premier League foodchain.
The Telegraph first reported that a deal between Liverpool and Forest had been in advanced talks. A deal is expected to be completed within days that allows Williams to become Forest’s fifth signing of the summer.
The newly promoted side have already signed striker Taiwo Awoniyi as well as defenders Giulian Biancone and Moussa Niakhate on permanent deals for undisclosed fees.
Forest have also completed the loan signing of goalkeeper Dean Henderson on a season long deal from Manchester United, having not played a single minute of Premier League football last season in England’s top-flight.
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A move for Williams will boost his hopes of representing Wales at the World Cup in Qatar later this year. The defender has been a regular for Robert Page’s side and impressed in the second half of last season on loan at Fulham, but there were concerns that a lack of game time ahead of the World Cup may have put his chances of starting in Qatar in jeopardy.
Williams has 21 caps and will be hoping to start when Wales face England, Iran and the United States of America in their first finals appearance since 1958.
Forest start their Premier League campaign on Saturday, August 6 at Newcastle, before playing their first home game back in the top-flight against West Ham United eight days later.
