Liverpool prepared to rescue £50m Brazil star with second Chelsea fight

Liverpool are ready to renew their transfer rivalry with Chelsea by making a move for Nottingham Forest’s Brazilian defender Murillo, should the East Midlands club be relegated from the Premier League.

The two clubs have clashed repeatedly in recent windows, most notably in January when both pursued Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet. Despite strong suggestions that Jacquet favoured a switch to Stamford Bridge, Liverpool negotiated a summer-transfer agreement that beat Chelsea to the signature of one of Europe’s most coveted young defenders.

Now the Merseysiders find themselves on another collision course with the Londoners, this time over Murillo. Forest splashed out a fee in the region of £50 million to secure the 21-year-old last summer, but a dramatic downturn in form has left the club entrenched in a relegation battle. A drop into the Championship would trigger an exodus of key personnel, and Football Insider understands Murillo has already informed those close to him that he has no intention of playing second-tier football.

That stance has put Premier League heavyweights on red alert. Liverpool have tracked the centre-back since before his move to England, while Chelsea have monitored his development for more than a year and considered an approach during the last window. Relegation would almost certainly lower Murillo’s valuation, making what was a £50 million asset available for a significantly reduced fee and igniting a fresh bidding war between the familiar foes.

Anfield officials believe the player’s pace, composure in possession and ability to defend high lines make him an ideal fit for their defensive unit, and they are prepared to formalise interest quickly should Forest’s fate be sealed. Chelsea, meanwhile, remain in the market for a long-term partner for their own young back-line core and view Murillo as a potential cornerstone of their rebuild.

With survival points at a premium and the relegation picture changing weekly, the outcome of Forest’s season will be watched as intently off the pitch as on it. Liverpool have already demonstrated they are willing to move decisively when competing with Chelsea; another victory in the tug-of-war for South American talent would deepen Reds optimism and leave their rivals searching for alternatives once again.