Nottingham Forest defender Murillo admits playing for a big club in the future amidst interest from Liverpool
In a candid interview with the Benja Me Mucho podcast, Nottingham Forest defender Murillo has stated that he is ready to move to a bigger club amidst links with Liverpool.
Murillo enjoyed an outstanding debut season in England after joining Nottingham Forest in a £15million deal from Corinthians last summer. He was one of the rare bright spots in an otherwise torrid campaign for the Tricky Trees which was marred by the Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) breach. The Brazilian was a consistent performer at the back, impressing with his passing range, ball-carrying ability, reading of the game and physicality.
The young centre-back made 32 Premier League appearances, playing a key role in helping Forest retain their top-flight status. His form has caught the eye of several big clubs in the Premier League, including Liverpool. And while Murillo admits his preference will be joining Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, he has refused to rule out a move to Liverpool.
“I had the dream of playing in the Premier League and I had that thought,” Murillo revealed in the Benja Me Mucho podcast, as relayed by Liverpool.com.
“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.”
Liverpool are seemingly in the market for a central defender following Joel Matip’s departure from Anfield at the end of the 2023/24 season. In Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah, the Reds do have good options in central defence but lack the depth to compete on all trophy fronts under Arne Slot in the new season.
With Virgil van Dijk also entering his mid-30s, the Merseyside outfit does need to look to the future sooner rather than later. Thus, Liverpool would be wise to invest in a young centre-back and groom him. Murillo, in that regard, would be an ideal fit.
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In just one season in the Premier League, the Brazilian proved himself to be such a calm and composed figure at the back for Forest, and he is only going to get better with the right coaching, maturity and experience. The 22-year-old has the required attributes to thrive at a big club like Liverpool whilst being a long-term replacement for the ageing Van Dijk.
For a player who has not hidden his dreams of playing for the Reds, Arne Slot certainly must consider Murillo as an option to bolster his squad’s defence. However, the stumbling block could be the price as Forest value him in the north of £50m.
