Liverpool tipped to enter 'bidding war' for Nottingham Forest centre-back Murillo

Liverpool are expected to join rivals Manchester United in a "bidding war" for Nottingham Forest centre-back Murillo this summer, according to reports.

The 21-year-old, who joined Forest from South American giants Corinthians for £15 million last summer, had an impressive debut season under Steve Cooper and Nuno Espirito Santo, making 32 league appearances across the 2023-24 campaign.

Having enhanced his reputation significantly, Football Insider reports that the Midlands side will value the defender at a minimum of £40 million - a price tag that is unlikely to put off suitors sniffing around the Brazilian this summer.

That said, speaking on the Inside Track podcast, Pete O’Rourke revealed that Forest, if they were to sell Murillo, would want "a bit of a bidding war between those sides for his signature."

In the end, this could push up the final transfer fee significantly.

Liverpool, Manchester United and PSG want Murillo

Murillo will be in high demand this summer with Nottingham Forest expected to sell several first-team players in order to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.

The left-sided centre-half is one of the club's most sellable assets and has been linked with Liverpool, Manchester United and French giants Paris Saint-Germain.

With Joel Matip having left on a free transfer, Liverpool are set to prioritise recruitment for central defence during this summer's transfer window.

Incoming coach Arne Slot's options are quite limited in that area; the Reds finished the season with Jarell Quansah as the established partner to captain Virgil van Dijk, with Ibrahima Konate's drop-off in form earning him a spot on the bench for the final fixtures.

Joe Gomez, meanwhile, has rarely played in the middle in recent seasons, having been converted into an inverted full-back and, at times, a holding midfielder.

At least two defenders are expected to be bought this summer, with a deal for Feyenoord's Lutsharel Geertruida looking quite likely too for the right-hand side.