Performance of Nottingham Forest star highlights why Cooper must sign 29-year-old freebie

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Nottingham Forest wilted against Bournemouth yesterday and the performance of Neco Williams highlights why the Reds need to land Serge Aurier.

The ex-Liverpool defender penned terms at the City Ground in the summer. He cost the club around £15 million and has looked like an astute signing.

Yesterday, he looked spent. It looked like a busy start to the campaign had finally caught up with Williams and his performance was below his usual standards.

Make no bones about it, the 21-year-old will remain Forest’s first choice right-back this season. Having Aurier around could help in other ways, however.

The Ivory Coast international is a free agent after leaving Villarreal in the summer. He helped the club reach the Champions League semi-finals under Unai Emery during 2021/22.

Furthermore, the 29-year-old is well versed when it comes to the Premier League. He made 110 appearances for Tottenham during his time in England and is a capable performer.

Aurier coming in would provide Williams with some much-needed competition for his shirt. Right now, that isn’t evident and perhaps he knows that he will be guaranteed a place each week.

The youngster should improve as the season progresses. This is the first time that he’s really played consistently in a Premier League outfit after being the second choice at Liverpool.

Williams display highlights why United

Having the former Tottenham man as part of the squad makes a lot of sense. It would be another experienced voice in the dressing room and naturally, that would help a young squad.

Not only that but Aurier would help Williams. Training with a player who has played for some of Europe’s biggest clubs can only be a good thing for the Forest defender.

Yesterday’s defeat was sobering. Some players will face a fight for their Forest futures and Williams won’t be one of those as he’s largely been impressive.

Aurier could help push him on even further though and Forest must now press ahead and get the deal over the line before their next game against Leeds.