​Manchester United have had a particularly busy 24 hours, securing two new deals. On Wednesday, the club reached an agreement with Chelsea for Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos, who completed his medical today. Earlier in the day, United also agreed a deal with former Leeds United goalkeeper Karl Darlow to join the club on a free transfer. In addition to these signings, United are exploring options to strengthen their left flank, with INEOS keeping tabs on several wingers and full-backs. A prominent name linked with a move is Lewis Hall, whom the club’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, admires highly; however, Newcastle United are unlikely to sell Hall to their fierce rivals this summer.
According to the BBC, United have also expressed interest in Nottingham Forest left-back Neco Williams. The Wales international moved to the City Ground from Liverpool in 2022 for £12 million and has since made 160 appearances for Forest, attracting interest from multiple Premier League clubs. Williams is renowned for his versatility and tactical awareness, showing the ability to operate effectively in a back four or back five, on either flank. Standing six feet tall, the tenacious defender is also impressive in attack, having contributed to six goals in 53 appearances for Forest across all competitions last season. The BBC notes that Williams is in discussions over a new contract, with Forest confident he will commit to extending his stay; his current deal runs until 2029. Nevertheless, the article emphasizes that interest in Williams from United and Newcastle United presents a potential obstacle to any pursuit.
Earlier in the summer, United showed interest in Elliot Anderson, but Forest ultimately sold the England midfielder to Manchester City, who reportedly broke the British transfer record to secure him. United have also been connected with attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, while Forest are expected to demand a fee similar to what City paid for Anderson’s transfer. The ongoing links to Williams and other Forest players illustrate United’s continued attempts to fortify the squad, particularly in those wider attacking roles. Gareth Copley’s photo via Getty Images accompanies a recent feature on this evolving transfer saga.
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