Liverpool have been linked with Nottingham Forest star Murillo for some time as they see him as a potential replacement for Virgil van Dijk. According to Football Insider, the former will have to pay out at least £70m to lure away the player.
Murillo is excelling
Murillo arrived at Nottingham Forest from Corinthians in the summer of 2023. He took little time to settle down and started hitting the ground immediately. He has already established himself as one of the solid defenders in the Premier League.
Murillo is showcasing high-quality football in the ongoing campaign. He has featured in 11 games so far and has found the back of the net once. He is averaging 1.2 tackles, 0.5 interceptions, and 5.9 clearances per game (stats via whoscored).
The Brazilian defender is a technically sound player who can adapt to different styles of play. He is physically strong, fast, and reads the game really well. He is also comfortable on the ball and possesses high leadership qualities.
Murillo can be a long-term solution
Liverpool are already searching for a quality centre-back in the market who can fill Virgil van Dijk‘s shoes in the long run. The latter’s contract expires at the end of the season. Even if he extends his stay, the club shouldn’t mind bringing a replacement.
The Reds had already expressed their interest in Murillo, who has done well so far. He can be a long-term investment for the club. His high qualities and immense potential cannot be ignored and can be banked upon.
Nottingham Forest have made their demands clear for the Brazilian. They want a minimum of £70 million to sanction the move of the defender. At the same time, they are unlikely to entertain offers in the January window as Murillo is an integral part of the squad. But the club will be ready to offload him next summer to book profits.
