Report: Liverpool could be set for major boost in pursuit of £70m-rated star

Liverpool’s recruitment department has long prided itself on planning two windows ahead, and the club’s radar has now settled on Nottingham Forest’s Brazilian centre-back Murillo. According to iNews, the 23-year-old’s long-term future has become increasingly uncertain, a development that could hand the Reds a timely advantage in their defensive succession strategy.

Murillo arrived in the Premier League in 2023 and has since emerged as one of the division’s most composed and physically imposing young defenders. His ability to read danger early, coupled with an assuredness on the ball, has drawn admiring glances from Anfield and beyond. Former Forest boss Steve Cooper described him as a “super talent”, a verdict that gains credence with every commanding performance at the City Ground.

Forest moved pre-emptively last year, tying Murillo to a contract extension through 2029, a deal that inflated his valuation to around £70 million. Yet the security of that paperwork may be tested if the club lose their grip on top-flight status. Nuno Espírito Santo’s side currently occupy the final safe spot in the table, and the coming fortnight could determine whether financial realities force owner Vangelis Marinakis into a major sale.

Relegation would place significant strain on Forest’s wage structure and amortised transfer budget, potentially accelerating Murillo’s exit. Sources stress the player is not agitating for a move, but the expectation inside the club is that elite interest will crystallise should they drop into the Championship.

Liverpool’s interest is described as cautious rather than urgent. The Merseysiders are not preparing an imminent bid, yet they are monitoring developments closely. Ibrahima Konaté’s ongoing contract talks act as a backdrop; should negotiations stall, Murillo’s profile ticks many of the attributes Liverpool traditionally target—youth, physical dominance and comfort in a high-line system.

Competition will be fierce. Manchester United maintain a long-standing admiration, while Chelsea and Real Madrid have also registered their scouts’ attendance at recent Forest fixtures. Murillo’s representatives are aware that a strong finish to the season, coupled with survival, could still lead to a summer auction.

For now, the defender’s focus remains on keeping Forest in the division, but the wider consensus is that his trajectory points toward one of Europe’s heavyweight clubs. If Liverpool’s pursuit intensifies, supporters may question whether another £70 million defensive outlay represents the correct priority after last summer’s £450 million squad rebuild failed to yield a title challenge. With Arne Slot’s side languishing sixth and fluency issues evident in midfield and attack, some fans would prefer to see resources directed toward creative reinforcements rather than further centre-back depth.

Nonetheless, the club’s hierarchy views defensive succession planning as non-negotiable. Should Konaté’s situation remain unresolved, Murillo could swiftly rise to the top of Liverpool’s shortlist, especially if Forest’s survival hopes are dashed in the next three match-days.