Murillo, the 22-year-old Brazilian defender, has admitted that a potential move to Liverpool would be a “good opportunity” as speculation grows over his future at Nottingham Forest. Following a standout season at centre-back, Murillo was named Forest’s player of the season after his £11 million transfer from Corinthians in 2023. Despite signing a five-year contract tying him to Forest until 2028, the talented defender is already attracting interest from several top Premier League clubs.
Interest from Top Premier League Clubs
Liverpool
Liverpool’s interest in Murillo dates back several months. With Joel Matip nearing the end of his contract and ongoing uncertainties about Virgil van Dijk’s long-term future, the Reds are in the market for defensive reinforcements. New sporting director Richard Hughes is reportedly keen on the Brazilian, with some reports suggesting a potential transfer fee as high as £70 million.
Chelsea
Chelsea have also shown interest, reportedly offering a cash-plus-player deal involving Trevoh Chalobah. This indicates the Blues’ willingness to secure Murillo’s services and strengthen their defensive line-up.
Speaking on the Benja Me Mucho podcast, Murillo acknowledged the ongoing transfer speculation and expressed his preferences if he were to leave Forest. Although Manchester City tops his list, he is realistic about the competition for a starting spot at the Etihad. He also mentioned Arsenal and Liverpool as attractive options, highlighting his ambition to play for a top-tier club.
“I don’t know if it’s £70 million, but I know there was a buzz of interest. I had the dream of playing in the Premier League and I had that thought. I thought: ‘I’ll go to Nottingham Forest, have a good year and then I’ll go to a big club’. I had that in my head. I’d choose Manchester City but it would be more difficult for me to be a regular starter given the players they have in their squad. There’s City, Arsenal as well, who are fighting for the Premier League title. I wouldn’t discard Liverpool either, it would be a good opportunity for me to show my football in a big club.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the transfer chatter, Murillo remains calm and focused on returning to Nottingham Forest for pre-season. He acknowledges that discussions about his future might take place but maintains a relaxed attitude as the summer transfer window progresses.
“We don’t know anything for certain, the window opened last month so I’m going to return to Nottingham Forest for pre-season. There might be some discussions on whether I’ll stay or not so there’s a lot of things to happen still but I’m relaxed.”
As the transfer window heats up, it will be interesting to see if Murillo secures a move to one of the Premier League’s elite clubs and how his future unfolds.
