Nottingham Forest are attempting to finalize their team this summer, but it is not just incoming transfers that are dominating the headlines.
Forest are well aware that in order to continue signing players, they will need to cut their cloth and unload players.
With PSR looming around the corner of every Premier League club, particularly those outside the big six, Forest understands that every cent counts these days.
Forest has a handful of players who are considered surplus. Joe Worrall, Emmanuel Dennis, and Josh Bowler are already training with the first team and have been told they can play.
However, there is still some interest in some of the club’s first-choice players, and more information about another possible sale has emerged.
Atalanta wants Nottingham Forest star Neco Williams.
According to Fabrizio Romano and Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari, the Reds’ full-back is now sought.
According to Romano, Atalanta had a proposal rejected before of their Champions League campaign, with Forest standing firm on its validation.
Longari believes Williams is worth £30 million, and Forest is unlikely to change that estimate.
Williams improved dramatically last season after battling with form when he signed for £17 million from Liverpool.
During the 2023/24 season, he made 32 appearances, 26 of which came in the Premier League.
Nuno Espirito Santo appeared to prefer Williams as his usual right-back, but with these ties emerging, there may be some opportunity for manoeuvre.
Chris Gunter, a former Forest and Wales defender, praised Williams as ‘class’ in November 2022 after some impressive performances for Wales.
Forest might live without Williams—but the price must be right.
Williams signed at a time when fans were hopeful Djed Spence would sign on a permanent basis after a good loan spell.
However, Steve Cooper liked Williams, and it’s fair to say that when he first signed, he didn’t always portray himself in the best light.
He frequently missed his man, was prone to the diagonal ball over his head, and his final product was occasionally subpar.
Although he made some progress in those areas last season, Williams is far from an immovable object on the right side of the defence.
Ola Aina might perhaps play at right-back, with Forest still aiming to sign Bradley Locko for the left-back position this summer.
In this day and age, Forest rarely let players leave cheap, and perhaps that will continue here.
It’s encouraging to see that Forest rejected the first offer and advised Atalanta on what amount would entice the club to do business.
Now the ball is in the hands of the Champions League hopes, and it remains to be seen whether they will return with a second proposal.
