Nottingham Forest are facing a losing battle to sign Djed Spence on a permanent basis this summer. As a result, Steve Cooper will likely have plenty of other irons in the fire.
The Reds defender was brilliant last season. He made over 40 appearances for the club and helped them take a place back in the Premier League for the first time in 23 years.
Spence’s form has attracted plenty of admiring glances. Tottenham are showing the most interest, with Dortmund, Roma, Newcastle and Everton all thought to be keen.
Cooper is a proud Welshman. As a result, he will have taken a close look at Wales during their World Cup play-off final on Sunday night when they defeated Ukraine 1-0.
In watching closely, he might have spotted his next right-sided wing-back. Liverpool starlet Neco Williams was brilliant for Fulham during the second half of last season and he starred for Wales on Sunday.
The player will be allowed to leave Anfield during the summer. He’s thought to the available for £15 million, as confirmed by the Liverpool Echo in a report earlier today.
Williams is behind Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool. As a result, they’re willing to let the player go in search of the regular first-team action that he desperately craves.
Forest losing Spence battle but Williams would soften the blow
Williams was given a 10/10 by Wales Online for his heroics on Sunday. He covered every single blade of grass and would probably still be running if he was out on the pitch now.
His energy is immense, with his delivery particularly impressive too. With that in mind, he looks tailor-made for a role in Cooper’s fluid style of attacking play.
At 21, Williams is the same age as Spence. It’s fair to say that the man with 20 caps for his country does perhaps have a better pedigree than the player who shone at Forest.
He’s come through the ranks at Liverpool, making 33 appearances for the Reds. Williams has also made 13 times in the Premier League and he will be keen to move to a top-flight club.
Forest would dearly love Spence to come back. He’s warmed to the football club and the fans have taken to him but ultimately it might not be possible given interest from elsewhere.
Contingency plans will need to be sorted. Cooper will have enjoyed what he saw from Williams on Sunday and Forest would be wise to move for him as a Spence alternative.