Liverpool are reportedly ready to make a major move for Murillo, with the club willing to meet a fee of up to £70m to sign the Nottingham Forest defender this summer.
According to reports from Flashscore’s Dean Jones, Liverpool have already carried out significant groundwork on a potential deal, with the Brazilian centre-back now emerging as one of the club’s priority defensive targets.
Jones reports: “Murillo, 23, signed an improved four-year contract last year, tying him to Forest until 2029, but sources suggest a fee in the region of £60-70 million could be enough to test the club’s resolve.
“That valuation is unlikely to deter Chelsea or Liverpool, both of whom are actively targeting reinforcements in central defence. Liverpool have also carried out significant groundwork over the past 12 months as they assess defensive options ahead of the next campaign.”
?? ? Nottingham Forest signed Murillo (23) from Corinthians for just €12m. ? pic.twitter.com/miJPZvIfQ7
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) March 12, 2026
Interest remains despite Konaté nearing new deal
Liverpool’s pursuit of Murillo comes despite growing confidence that Ibrahima Konate is close to committing his long-term future to the club.
Recent updates from Fabrizio Romano have indicated that negotiations over a new contract for Konaté are now in their final stages, with salary terms largely agreed and only minor details still being resolved.
He said: “These negotiations are moving to the final stages. So the agreement between Konate and Liverpool is getting closer, it’s almost there.
“It’s not done, signed and completed yet, and we have to wait until the very end before saying it’s done, because with free agents and really important players like Konate, everything can happen in five minutes.
“But in this case, Konate and Liverpool are advancing very well in conversations to get new contract sorted and done.
“The salary is almost agreed, the length of contract is being discussed. There are some clauses to clarify, but Konate and Liverpool are almost there.”
? Liverpool are now closer to reaching full agreement with Ibrahima Konaté over new contract.
Negotiations are advancing well after Real Madrid talks stopped in November, with Liverpool now progressing.
Not done/sealed yet but #LFC confident.
?? https://t.co/vYxmYy1FWD pic.twitter.com/PPBMr3DM3N
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 9, 2026
That development suggests Liverpool’s interest in Murillo is not linked to concerns over Konaté’s future, but rather part of a wider plan to strengthen depth at centre-back ahead of the coming years.
Virgil van Dijk’s contract expires at the end of the 2027 contract and should not be considered a long-term feature in Liverpool’s plans. Planning for the next defensive cycle appears to be firmly underway.