CARDIFF, WALES - Saturday, June 11, 2022: Wales' Neco Williams sings the national anthem before the UEFA Nations League Group A4 game between Wales and Belgium at the Cardiff City Stadium. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CARDIFF, WALES - Saturday, June 11, 2022: Wales' Neco Williams sings the national anthem before the UEFA Nations League Group A4 game between Wales and Belgium at the Cardiff City Stadium. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Former Liverpool full-back Neco Williams is a summer target for Man United, which would make him the first to play for both clubs since Michael Owen.
Williams left Liverpool to join Nottingham Forest in a deal worth up to £17 million in 2022, and has gone on to establish himself as one of their standout players.
Named their Player of the Season for the 2025/26 campaign, the 25-year-old has made 160 appearances for the Midlands club dividing his time between left-back and right-back.
His performances for Forest have attracted interest in a summer transfer, with BBC Sport‘s Sami Mokbel reporting that both Man United and Newcastle have made contact.
Who was the last player to play for Liverpool and Man United?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 20, 2010: Manchester United's Michael Owen during the Premiership match against Everton at Goodison Park. (Photo by: David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 20, 2010: Manchester United's Michael Owen during the Premiership match against Everton at Goodison Park. (Photo by: David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Only 17 players have represented both Liverpool and Man United in history, with the last being Owen who spent three years at Old Trafford between 2009 and 2012.
The last former Man United player to join Liverpool was Paul Ince, who left Manchester for Inter Milan in 1995 and then made a £4.2 million switch to Anfield two years later.
Phil Chisnall was the most recent direct transfer between the two clubs, leaving Man United for Liverpool in a £25,000 deal in 1964.
That underlines the significance of a potential move for Williams, who should arguably return to his former club’s radar this summer.
Should Liverpool consider re-signing Neco Williams?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, July 22, 2020: Liverpool’s elite development coach Vitor Matos, Harvey Elliott, Neco Williams and Curtis Jones celebrate with the Premier League trophy as the Reds are crowned Champions after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield. The game was played behind closed doors due to the UK government’s social distancing laws during the Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic. Liverpool won 5-3. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, July 22, 2020: Liverpool’s elite development coach Vitor Matos, Harvey Elliott, Neco Williams and Curtis Jones celebrate with the Premier League trophy as the Reds are crowned Champions after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield. The game was played behind closed doors due to the UK government’s social distancing laws during the Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic. Liverpool won 5-3. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
READ MORE
Liverpool right-back plans unclear after new contracts, free transfer and £47m Chelsea move
While Mokbel reports that Forest are “confident that Williams will agree to stay,” as they look to tie him down to a new long-term contract, interest from elsewhere is a “potential obstacle.”
Liverpool are in need of reinforcement at both right-back and left-back this summer while also needing to add to their homegrown quota for the Premier League.
Williams would match the criteria while providing competition for the likes of Conor Bradley and Milos Kerkez in both roles on the flanks of Andoni Iraola‘s defence.
WATFORD, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 16, 2021: Liverpool's Roberto Firmino (C) celebrates with team-mates Mohamed Salah (L) and Neco Williams (R) after scoring the fifth goal with the last kick of the game, completing his hat-trick, during the FA Premier League match between Watford FC and Liverpool FC at Vicarage Road. Liverpool won 5-0. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
WATFORD, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 16, 2021: Liverpool's Roberto Firmino (C) celebrates with team-mates Mohamed Salah (L) and Neco Williams (R) after scoring the fifth goal with the last kick of the game, completing his hat-trick, during the FA Premier League match between Watford FC and Liverpool FC at Vicarage Road. Liverpool won 5-0. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The presence of a 15 percent sell-on clause in Liverpool’s deal with Forest four years ago would also benefit the Reds if negotiations were to take place – as it would effectively act as a 15 percent discount.
There is no indication at this stage that Williams is being considered by sporting director Richard Hughes and his recruitment team.
But Liverpool could do far worse than turning to a player who spent 15 years at the club having arrived as a six-year-old, going on to make 33 appearances wearing the No. 76 shirt.
Football – Liverpool Present Arne Slot as Head Coach
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Friday, July 5, 2024: Liverpool's new head coach Arne Slot (L) and Sporting Director Richard Hughes (R) are presented at a photo call at the club's AXA Training Centre. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
mbappeklopp
Collage 3 diagonal (11)
Collage 3 diagonal (11)