(Credit: Imago)

Callum O'Connell

Tue 10 March 2026 11:05, UK

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Nottingham Forest star Murillo has emerged among the top targets for Liverpool this summer and they may now have received a boost in their pursuit.

Vitor Pereira’s side remain very much at risk of relegation and are outside the bottom three on goal difference as we enter the closing stages of the season.

If Forest do suffer relegation, the financial implications mean they will likely have to sell, while even if they stay up they could struggle to keep their best players.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Liverpool are long-term admirers of Murillo and will look to capitalise on Forest’s situation.

Arne Slot in keen to strengthen his defensive options in what could be another busy transfer window for Liverpool after already agreeing a deal for Jeremy Jacquet.

Liverpool handed boost in pursuit of Murillo

Football Insider revealed last month that Liverpool and Chelsea are racing to sign Murillo amid a growing feeling that he will leave the City Ground this summer.

Even if Nottingham Forest avoid relegation, a number of their key players could be tempted away to clubs playing Champions League football.

“Murillo is definitely somebody Liverpool have been looking at,” Brown told Football Insider.

“They are looking to strengthen at the back because they’re definitely not well-stocked in that area and there’s still the possibility that [Ibrahima] Konate could move on.

“Murillo is one of the outstanding candidates because of how impressive he has been for Forest this season, and Liverpool have been watching him for a while.

“If Forest go down, they’re going to have no choice but to let him go, and even if they stay in the Premier League it might be difficult.

“If Liverpool come calling for him and they’re playing in the Champions League, then there’s every chance the player will want to move on, and they won’t stop him.

“It’s a difficult situation for Forest to be in, but for a club like Liverpool they need to take advantage of these types of opportunities.”

Nottingham Forest bracing for mass exodus

Forest are fearing a mass exodus of their star players ahead of the summer transfer window regardless of whether they are relegated from the Premier League.

Murillo is not the only star name being linked with a move away as the likes of Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White are also attracting high-profile interest.

As a result, Brown told Football Insider that Nottingham Forest could lose multiple star players, with some of the league’s biggest clubs circling.

There are nine games still to play in the Premier League, with the likes of Tottenham and Leeds still very much in danger, and Forest remain hopeful of staying up.

However, big-money offers arrive for the likes of Gibbs-White, Anderson and Murillo will prove temping to both the club and the players.