Leeds United handed boost in Neco Williams chase as Nottingham Forest deliver last-gasp transfer update
Daniel Farke has been eyeing at least one full-back this January, as Leeds United have been in desperate need of a fresh addition.
But the Whites have already had a number of losses following the loan departures of Djed Spence (whose Leeds abruptly terminated his season-long loan) and Luke Ayling (who went to Middlesbrough).
As a result of injuries to the team’s other full-backs, Jamie Shackleton, Sam Byram, and Junior Firpo, Phil Hay reports that Nottingham Forest’s Neco Williams has been linked to a move to Elland Road.
And despite the fact that Nuno Espirito Santo is favouring the move more and more as the January transfer window closes, Leeds has been given a chance to salvage their pursuit of the Wales international.
Leeds has one more chance to secure one of their targets before the transfer window closes on February 1st, even if Forest rejected Feyenoord’s offer for Williams, even though they probably feel happy at The City Ground currently.
Firpo, the left-back Daniel Farke currently prefers, has shown improvement in play, but the Forest player would provide him with an alternative. Williams would undoubtedly be a fantastic fit as Leeds strives for Premier League promotion, having already earned 36 caps for Wales at the age of 22 and some standout performances.
In related news:
‘Concrete target’… Leeds have now ‘turned their attention’ to 28-year-old after missing out on £16 million player
This month, Leeds United hasn’t really made any headway in their quest for a new right-back.
After losing both Luke Ayling and Djed Spence earlier in the window, the Whites are looking for one, but they don’t seem to be close to bringing in a replacement just yet.
Leeds is concentrating most of its efforts on the Premier League loan market while they wait for the ideal player to become available.
A man worth £16 millionNeco Williams was Leeds’ top target this month, but Nottingham Forest reportedly made it very clear that he would not be leaving since he is crucial to Nuno Espirito Santo’s plans.
Ben Jacobs of Give Me Sport now claims that Leeds has realised they won’t be able to sign Williams and is planning to turn their focus to Burnley’s Connor Roberts.
Leeds turn attention to Roberts
Leeds will undoubtedly be active and very opportunistic, he predicted, since they are aware that some of their desired targets won’t be accessible unless there are moves at other teams. That’s the winter market’s kind of challenge.
Leeds has always adored Williams because they first saw him in the summer of 2023. Leeds is aware of his unavailability, thus he can be ruled out. Although Nuno Espirito Santo has officially stated as much, Forest makes it very evident that Williams is not available.
“Since he hasn’t started a game since October, Leeds decided to focus on Burnley’s Roberts, another Welsh full-back. He is still a tangible objective.
Roberts has been brought up several times during the window, but it seems unlikely that he is the first pick because this transaction appears to be more simpler to complete than those for Williams and Ben Johnson.
The 28-year-old is reportedly amenable to moving to Elland Road and reuniting with a few of his Wales international teammates, while Burnley is also open to offers as well.
Given that Williams appears unattainable and Johnson appears challenging at this point, Leeds could want to move quickly to bring Roberts to West Yorkshire.
