Liverpool transfer target AGREES mega deal

Liverpool are lingering in the transfer market during uncertain times at the club.

Left-back, centre-back, defensive midfield and striker have all been identified as positions where recruitment is most necessary, but the Reds are also on the brink of a significant overhaul coming into play.

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Mohamed Salah, Virgil Van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are also at risk of leaving the club and if the team were to lose any of their three most prized assets, then Liverpool have to replace them in the transfer market.

As such, Richard Hughes - the club's sporting director - is working tirelessly to help negotiate new deals for the three players out of contract, while assessing the current needs of the team and the potential replacements for any of those who leave on a free transfer upon their contract expiring without a new deal.

Murillo commits future to Nottingham Forest

On the basis that Van Dijk could depart the club, Liverpool had outlined a shortlist of players they believed were worth being monitored to replace him, should they need to this summer.

According to TeamTalk, Loic Bade, Goncalo Inacio and Murillo all featured on that list of targets, although the latter is now unavailable.

Mike Keegan at the Daily Mail is exclusively reporting that Murillo has signed a new four-year contract with Nottingham Forest, which is a blow to the club after admiring him this season and identifying a skill set capable of featuring for Liverpool in the future.

The club had already been given the chance to see the Brazilian audition against the Reds when the team visited Forest last week in a hard-fought 1-1 draw at the City Ground.

He delivered a sensational defensive performance that included 17 clearances, an almighty feat in a Premier League game, to ensure that Liverpool dropped points in the title race.

In addition, Liverpool had previously been linked with Murillo during the summer transfer window, although the reported fee at the time went from £50m to £70m, leading the club to look elsewhere and subsequently decide to wait until a more suitable option became available.

Murillo had even contemplated what it would mean to play for Liverpool or another one of the big clubs and the opportunity that he would have to showcase his football on a big stage.

However, Nottingham Forest have developed under Nuno Espirito Santo this season, and they currently sit in third place in the league - a remarkable contrast to their 17th placed finish above the relegation zone last season.

As such, it seems as though Murillo was sufficiently convinced by the project laid out to him at his current club and Liverpool will now have to look elsewhere for a Van Dijk successor, or a long-fought replacement for Joel Matip who left last season.

There are likely to be several alternative options on the table for Richard Hughes and the club to consider, but after getting a glimpse of Murillo's potential this week, it is clear that Liverpool have missed out on a great opportunity to add some fresh blood into the team.

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