Liverpool and Chelsea join race to sign Nottingham Forest player
Liverpool and Chelsea have joined the race to sign Nottingham Forest star Murillo in 2027, sources have told Football Insider.
The 24-year-old has long been admired by the Premier League's top clubs, and there is a growing feeling they could move to lure him away from the City Ground after the turn of the year.
Liverpool are seeking a long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk, while Chelsea remain determined to bolster their squads, and both clubs could be ready to spend big.
However, as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Nottingham Forest will not entertain offers for Murillo in the January transfer window.
The Brazil international remains a crucial part of Oliver Glasner's side and is regarded as one of the best players in his position outside of the big six teams.
While his performances have attracted high-profile interest, and both Liverpool and Chelsea are keeping tabs on his situation, it will be a difficult deal to pull off.
How do Nottingham Forest feel about losing Murillo?
Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider in May that Nottingham Forest were set to demand "silly money" for Murillo during the summer transfer window.
That came as the club made their stance clear that their best players would not be for sale, particularly following the record-breaking sale of Elliot Anderson to Man City.
While their stance is unlikely to change heading into next year, clubs including Chelsea and Liverpool are plotting moves in case he does become available.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "Murillo has been a previous target for Manchester United because of how well he's done for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
"It'll be a really difficult deal to do because he only signed a new long term deal last May to keep him at the City Ground until 2030.
"There will be a lot of competition for his services as well, Chelsea are long-term admirers of Murillo and they could be tempted to make a move if he becomes available.
"Liverpool have been linked with him as well in the past and they could reignite that interest because of their issues at centre-back as well.
"I can't see anything happening in January due to Forest not needing the money, and they have put a huge price tag on Murillo's head because of his contract situation.
"Nothing's going to happen until the summer, and we'll see what other clubs are maybe interested in Murillo then as well."
Which other clubs are interested in signing Murillo?
As previously mentioned, Liverpool and Chelsea are far from the only clubs keeping tabs on Murillo's situation in case he is allowed to leave Nottingham Forest next year.
The centre-back has a number of suitors both in the Premier League and across Europe thanks to his consistently impressive displays at the City Ground.
Football Insider revealed on 2 October that Man United are interested in signing Murillo and could make a move next year as they aim to strengthen at the back.
Michael Carrick is aiming to overhaul his defence in 2027, with the recruitment team now focusing on bringing new centre-backs and a left-back to Old Trafford.
The centre-back has emerged among a number of targets for Carrick's side as they put long-term transfer plans in place, with a focus on next summer's window rather than January.