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Nottingham Forest bid for Neco Williams rejected by Liverpool - report
Nottingham Forest have had a bid for Liverpool defender Neco Williams rejected, according to journalist Alan Nixon on Patreon.
There is apparently “work to do” on a fee for the 21-year-old who Steve Cooper is a “huge fan” of, as the opening offer of £11million up front with £4million more in add-ons is not good enough.
The Reds want a higher fee overall, and particularly more money up front, for the Welsh international who spent the second half of the 2021/22 season on loan at Fulham.
In three senior seasons at Anfield he has made a total of 33 appearances, although the majority of those have come in competitions other than the Premier League.
Sky Sports had previously reported (20 June) that Southampton were favourites to land the right-back who is rated at close to £20million.
Newly-promoted Forest have turned to him after Djed Spence’s loan spell ended, and a permanent deal looks unlikely with Tottenham after him.
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The deal is far from off as the youngster would also like to play for compatriot Cooper but the valuation at Anfield is some way away.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and newly-signed teenager Calvin Ramsay look set to the top two options at the position, so £20million for a third-choice right back would represent a solid fee.
With multiple teams interested, and an indication that they are willing to hold out for their valuation judging by this rejection, they may well get it.
Cooper’s outfit will be boosted by Premier League money for the first time in over 20 years but they clearly did not want to immediately throw any more than necessary at this deal.
They are likely to return with a new offer in the circumstances as they prepare for their first season in the English top flight since finishing bottom in 1999.
Williams made 15 appearances on loan with the Cottagers, only missing five matches in his time in West London, after making five Liverpool appearances in the entire first half of the 2021/22 campaign.
In other Nottingham Forest news, the club admit defeat in their pursuit of a permanent deal for Spence.