Nottingham Forest have made it clear that Neco Williams is not for sale, standing firm against interest from Tottenham Hotspur as they look to secure the defender's long-term future at the City Ground.
Reports indicate Spurs have been exploring the possibility of a move for the Wales international, keen to understand what terms might be required to prise him away from Forest. However, the East Midlands club have given no indication they are willing to entertain a sale, instead focusing their efforts on convincing Williams to commit to a new contract.
The versatile full-back's existing deal runs until the summer of 2029, meaning Forest are under no financial pressure to sanction a departure. Talks over an extension have reportedly been ongoing for some time, though the two parties have yet to reach an agreement.
Forest's determination to hold onto Williams comes at a sensitive moment for the club, having recently seen midfielder Eliot Anderson depart for Manchester City. Head coach Oliver Glasner is understood to be adamant that a second high-profile exit would represent a serious setback, particularly given the limited window available to bring in a replacement of similar quality.
Williams has established himself as one of the most reliable performers in Forest's squad since joining from Liverpool in July 2022, and the club regard him as a genuinely important figure both on and off the pitch. His adaptability is a key part of his appeal, with Forest viewing him as a capable operator on either side of the defense — a trait that adds significant tactical value to Glasner's plans.
His top-flight pedigree is another factor behind Forest's reluctance to let him go. Between his time at Liverpool and his spell in Nottingham, Williams has amassed 143 Premier League appearances, experience that the club considers difficult to replace at short notice.
For Tottenham, the pursuit of Williams appears to stem from a desire to add further competition and depth across their back line. The north London club already have contrasting options at left-back, where summer arrival Andy Robertson is competing with Destiny Udogie for a starting role. Should Spurs have succeeded in luring Williams away, it would have added another layer of competition in that position, given his ability to also operate effectively on the left.
On the right side of defense, Tottenham's setup looks more settled, with World Cup winner Pedro Porro established as the first-choice option. Archie Gray, primarily a midfielder by trade, has provided auxiliary cover in that role when required, offering Spurs some tactical flexibility despite not being a natural full-back.
Despite the apparent interest from Tottenham, Forest's stance suggests any move for Williams this window is unlikely to gain traction. The club's priority remains locking him into fresh terms rather than negotiating a sale, reflecting the esteem in which he is held by the coaching staff and hierarchy alike.
With Glasner keen to build stability following the departure of Anderson, retaining key personnel such as Williams is seen as essential to maintaining squad cohesion and competitiveness in what remains a demanding Premier League campaign. Whether Forest can convert their private assurances into a signed contract extension remains to be seen, but for now, the message to Tottenham and any other interested parties is unambiguous: Neco Williams is going nowhere.
Based on reporting from Standard Football.