According to Football Insider, Liverpool are keen on signing Nottingham Forest defender Murillo in the summer transfer window. The move seems easier to pull off as the latter club are in urgent need of raising funds due to financial regulations.
Murillo’s surprising Premier League debut season
Murillo joined Nottingham Forest from Corinthians last summer on a five-year deal. In his very first deal, he established himself as a reliable player and one of the best defenders in the Premier League. Impressed by his displays, many European clubs have shown interest in him.
Murillo played a crucial role for the English outfit this season, where he turned up 36 times for them. Though he has yet to score his maiden goal, he provided two assists. He also averaged 1.6 tackles, 1.2 interceptions, and 5.8 clearances per game (stats via whoscored).
The Brazilian defender plays as a centre-back and is a tough defender to pass due to his strength and big frame. He likes to clear the ball out of defence and tackles accurately. However, he needs to work on his long passing and aerial dominance.
A future partner of Ibrahima Konate?
Liverpool will likely bring in a new defender as they lost Joel Matip as a free agent. Moreover, as Virgil van Dijk is on the wrong side of 30, it would be ideal if they sign a young player. Hence, the pursuit of Murillo makes sense.
Murillo has proven his talent and immense potential in the very first season in the English league. He has showcased all the traits to play for a top-tier league. The 21-year-old could also be a long-term investment should he continue to improve his game.
Nottingham Forest valued the player at £40 million but might be forced to sell for a lesser price. They need to raise funds urgently or else they could be facing a points deduction. The situation hasn’t gone unnoticed as Liverpool are eyeing to take advantage of it.
