Nottingham Forest’s strong, settled defence was one of the key factors in their excellent Premier League season, but reports are suggesting that AC Milan are preparing to break up the back four.
Taking the majority of the praise, Nikola Milenkovic was named signing of the season by Gary Neville as Forest’s defensive unit impressed throughout the campaign.
Nuno Espírito Santo’s job was made easier by the brilliance of the back four, with Milenkovic and Brazilian star Murillo making a strong claim to be the Premier League’s best partnership.
Forest kept the joint-most clean sheets in the league, too, but a crucial cog that led to this defensive dominance could have an opportunity to join AC Milan this summer.
AC Milan are ‘interested’ in Neco Williams this summer
Milenkovic and Murillo take plenty of the credit, but Neco Williams had a stellar season at the City Ground, adapting to left-back and never looking back.
Forest are expected to offer Williams a new contract to reward his excellent form, but while nothing is confirmed on that front, Italian giants AC Milan are looking to take advantage.
A report by Radio Rossonera said: “Neco Williams is the new name being followed by Milan to strengthen the defence.
“The Welshman’s contract expires in June 2026 and the Rossoneri club are following him with interest after [Davide] Calabria’s departure in January, in addition to the possibility that [Kyle] Walker will not be signed.”
Williams’ ability to play both sides of a defence makes him a valuable asset for Forest, especially given that Ola Aina’s long-term future at the club hasn’t yet been confirmed.
In terms of his role on the left, though, Evangelos Marinakis has a replacement in the pipeline who may be thrust into the Forest squad earlier than anticipated.
Neco Williams could be replaced by the incoming Cuiabano
Forest’s incoming business has purely been focused on Brazil in the early stages of the window, with Igor Jesus set to arrive at Forest immediately.
Another of the Botafogo contingent is left-back Cuiabano, who may need to quickly adapt to Espírito Santo’s demands if Williams is to depart.
There had been talk that Cuiabano and central defender Jair Cunha could well end up at Olympiacos as signings for the wider Marinakis group, but this would surely have to change if the 22-year-old left-back became unexpectedly required at the City Ground.
However, Brighton are also interested in Cuiabano, which would throw Forest’s consistent and dependable defence into uncertainty ahead of the new season.
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