As Liverpool plan for the potential loss of Ibrahima Konate, interest in Nottingham Forest star Murillo seems to grow, but they aren’t the only suitors.
There’s a lot of football to be played before the transfer window reopens, but we can expect another busy summer of recruitment as this new-look Liverpool squad takes shape.
One area of uncertainty is at centre-back.
Jeremy Jacquet will join Liverpool in a matter of months and Giovanni Leoni should be healthy again in time for the start of next season.
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Curtis Jones points to the Anfield stand in celebration during Liverpool's FA Cup match against Brighton & Hove Albion
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But Konate hasn’t made his Liverpool decision, and FSG aren’t banking on him to extend. Rather, they are looking at the options available.
Liverpool and Chelsea most likely to move for Murillo as ‘bidding war’ expected
The recruitment staff at Liverpool will be looking at their options for an elite centre-back addition.
Reports from Italy on Sunday claimed Liverpool want Gleison Bremer from Juventus with Chelsea also interested. This follows a January battle between the two Premier League giants for Jeremy Jacquet.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise then, to hear that both are laying the ‘groundwork’ for a summer move for Murillo.
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According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool and Chelsea are the frontrunners to lure the Brazilian away from the City Ground. Sources at Forest think Murillo has ‘probably hit his ceiling’ at the club, while those close to the situation at Liverpool confirm firm interest from the Reds.
Man United and Spurs have also been linked with the 22-year-old but to a lesser extent. The report suggests a ‘major bidding war’ is in store.
Liverpool risk lack of experience with Murillo move
Murillo is a physical specimen and quite a unique profile of centre-back. He’s far more mobile than you might think, and very technically proficient.
The concern we would have with this move is his age.
Liverpool have gone young with Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni, but the Forest defender is just a couple of years their senior.
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Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates in front of the Kop after scoring in Liverpool's FA Cup fourth round match against Brighton at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Charlotte Wilson/Offside).
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If Konate is to be replaced by Murillo, Van Dijk would be the only one in that position with any real experience at the very top level.
An injury to him could therefore be very damaging, and given his age, quite likely.
All the same, Murillo is quality, and his arrival would be something to be excited about. It just might make Liverpool think twice about selling Joe Gomez.
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