Newly-promoted Premier League club Nottingham Forest have reportedly been rebuffed in their attempts to sign Liverpool right-back Neco Williams.
According to Daily Mail, Nottingham Forest have had their opening offer for Neco Williams rejected by Liverpool. The 21-year-old Welsh defender has emerged as one of the top targets for the newly-promoted Premier League outfit this summer as they look for a reliable replacement for Djed Spence.
However, their opening offer for Williams has been rejected by Liverpool, who are reportedly holding out for a fee of around £15 million. The Reds are aware of the defender’s rise in stock following his fruitful loan spell at Fulham during the second half of the campaign and are not willing to let him go for cheap this summer.
Fulham themselves have entertained the idea of signing the youngster on a permanent deal this summer. But the player is thought to be more interested in a switch to Nottingham Forest, who were able to achieve a well-deserved promotion and a much-awaited return to the Premier League.
Williams featured in 15 competitive matches for Fulham this past season, helping the Cottagers seal the EFL Championship title and secure their return to the top flight. But the 21-year-old Liverpool defender believes he has a better shot of making a Premier League breakthrough with Nottingham Forest.
The Tricky Trees are expected to lose out on their main right-back Djed Spence this summer, with the Middlesbrough starlet remaining a top target for Tottenham Hotspur, among many other top clubs in England.
Spence’s exit could pave the way for Neco Williams to become the first-choice right-back for Nottingham Forest. But it appears Liverpool are not willing to make the route easy for him, as they continue to hold out for a hefty £15 million price tag that could potentially rule the Premier League new boys out of the race.
Nottingham Forest already had difficulties reaching an agreement with Mainz defender Moussa Niakhate earlier in the month. Conjuring up a fortune for Neco Williams may prove to be even more difficult, although it won’t be surprising to see Liverpool softening their stance if they fail to attract a suitor.
Having roped in Calvin Ramsay from Aberdeen, the Reds must offload the Welsh international in the summer if they are to perverse the balance of a squad that has witnessed many changes over the past couple of weeks. And with a month and a half still remaining before the new season gets underway, patience could be the name of the game as Nottingham Forest try to get their hands on Liverpool defender Neco Williams.
