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Manchester United have reportedly opened talks to sign Murillo after Nottingham Forest made a clear demand for their 23-year-old centre-back.
Defensive reinforcements
The Red Devils are consolidating their plans for the summer transfer window, with several positions needing reinforcement.
Midfield will be the priority given Casemiro’s departure at the end of his contract and Manuel Ugarte’s poor form. Elliot Anderson, Murillo’s teammate at the City Ground, is the club’s main target.
It is also expected that a new left-sided player, whether full-back or winger, will be targeted, depending on the coaching staff’s plan for Patrick Dorgu’s long-term future at Old Trafford.
However, a new centre-back may also be on the agenda as Harry Maguire’s future remains uncertain. The 32-year-old Englishman’s contract is expiring and negotiations have so far failed to produce a breakthrough.
In addition, Matthijs de Ligt’s innocent back injury, which was initially going to rule him out for a few weeks, has turned into an absence of three months. There is currently no fixed date for the Dutch international’s return, putting his World Cup hopes in jeopardy.
This combination of the club’s two defensive powerhouses, who have doubts over their availability, appears to be accelerating United’s desire for a new centre-back – with Murillo offering a Premier League-proven option who is yet to enter his prime.
Brazilian colossus
A host of clubs across Europe are interested in signing the 23-year-old Brazilian international, who has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most formidable defenders since joining Forest from Corinthians in 2023.
Together with Serbian giant Nikola Milenkovic, the centre-backs formed the basis of the Tricky Trees’ great season last season, which saw the club return to Europe for the first time in almost thirty years.
However, Forest have endured a difficult change of fortune this year, having appointed four managers as chaos has consumed the City Ground and they now find themselves on the brink of relegation. This has led to the prospect of their best players leaving a sinking ship this summer, with United considering a three-pronged move for Murillo, Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White.
However, a new report from TEAMtalk now reveals the Red Devils have first launched a move for the Brazilian defender, with an inside source claiming talks are already underway over a move. Murillo is described as “keen to play for one of the big clubs in England”, with both Chelsea and Liverpool also registering their interest.
A separate source in Brazil claims Forest have set an asking price of €70 million for their prized signing, suggesting United are willing to come close to this demand once negotiations open.
Final thoughts
Murillo is an excellent centre-back who combines a throwback style of no-nonsense defending with the quality on the ball that modern football demands. Despite being only 23, he already has a wealth of experience and is considered an excellent figure in the dressing room.
However, the idea that United will spend a fee in excess of £60m on a left-wing centre-back following Lisandro Martinez’s resurgent return to Old Trafford seems unlikely.
The People’s Person would advise waiting for a more reputable source to confirm any progress on Murillo before getting excited about the prospect of seeing the Brazilian colossus in a red shirt.
Featured image Clive Mason via Getty Images
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