Liverpool’s impressive start under Andoni Iraola has given supporters plenty to be positive about, but the Reds are still planning for a major change at the heart of their defence.
Virgil van Dijk is approaching the final months of his contract and, at 35, Liverpool need to think seriously about who can eventually take over from their long-serving captain.
Jeremy Jacquet has already shown why the club invested heavily in his potential, while Giovanni Leoni is closing in on his return from a serious injury. However, Liverpool are also keeping an eye on established Premier League defenders who could provide immediate quality.
One name that continues to stand out is Nottingham Forest’s highly-rated Brazilian centre-back Murillo.
Liverpool Receive Murillo Transfer Setback
Liverpool are interested in Murillo ahead of a potential 2027 move, but Nottingham Forest have made it clear that they will not entertain a January approach for the defender.
According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool and Chelsea are both monitoring the 24-year-old as they consider defensive reinforcements. The Reds’ interest is particularly understandable given the need to eventually replace Van Dijk.
However, Forest are under no financial pressure to sell. Murillo only signed a new long-term contract in May, tying him to the City Ground until 2030, and the club have subsequently placed a significant valuation on his head.
Transfer journalist Pete O’Rourke believes those circumstances make a January deal extremely unlikely.
“Murillo has been a previous target for Manchester United because of how well he’s done for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League,” O’Rourke said.
“It’ll be a really difficult deal to do because he only signed a new long term deal last May to keep him at the City Ground until 2030.”
Liverpool have previously been linked with the Brazil international and could revive that interest as they assess their options at centre-back.
“There will be a lot of competition for his services as well, Chelsea are long-term admirers of Murillo and they could be tempted to make a move if he becomes available,” O’Rourke added.
“Liverpool have been linked with him as well in the past and they could reignite that interest because of their issues at centre-back as well.”
The Reds have reportedly considered a fee in the region of £70m for Murillo in the past, highlighting just how highly he is regarded.
However, Forest’s stance means Liverpool are likely to have to wait until the summer before having a realistic chance of making a move.
“I can’t see anything happening in January due to Forest not needing the money, and they have put a huge price tag on Murillo’s head because of his contract situation,” O’Rourke said.
“Nothing’s going to happen until the summer, and we’ll see what other clubs are maybe interested in Murillo then as well.”
For Liverpool, Murillo could still emerge as a serious option to eventually succeed Van Dijk, but they will need patience if they want to prise him away from Forest.
