Nottingham Forest fans, brace yourselves — the writing is on the wall, and it’s written in big, bold, £70 million letters.
Murillo, the 23-year-old Brazilian defensive sensation who has been the standout performer at the City Ground this season, is heading for the exit door this summer. Despite his long-term contract until 2029 and Forest’s desperate desire to keep him, sources have confirmed that a departure is now “increasingly likely” — and at the top end of the valuation range.
And the two clubs battling tooth-and-nail for his signature? Liverpool and Chelsea. This is no polite interest. This is a full-blown, pulse-racing Premier League bidding war.
Chelsea have been leading the charge for over a year. The Blues have done extensive groundwork, watched him extensively, and even considered a move last summer. Murillo’s composure on the ball, his pinpoint left-footed passing, and his ability to play out from the back perfectly match what Enzo Maresca is building at Stamford Bridge. Inside sources say Chelsea are ready to go hard — very hard — the moment the window opens.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are not just window-shopping. The Reds have carried out their own thorough due diligence and see the former Corinthians star as the ideal upgrade to their backline. With Jeremy Jacquet arriving in the summer and serious question marks hanging over the long-term futures of Ibrahima Konaté (free agent risk), Joe Gomez and the ageing Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool view Murillo as the perfect left-footed, ball-progressing partner for whoever lines up alongside him.
Both clubs’ interest is described as “strong and serious”. Murillo’s representatives are already actively weighing up offers and prioritising a move to a top-six club. The player himself knows this is the summer he can make the jump to Champions League football.
But it doesn’t stop there.
Manchester United have thrown their hat into the ring in recent weeks, with INEOS reportedly eyeing a multi-player raid on Forest that could include Murillo, Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White in one blockbuster deal. His left-footed profile makes him a dream fit for Ruben Amorim’s system.
Arsenal and Tottenham have also been monitoring him closely, while earlier links to Real Madrid and Barcelona show just how highly he is rated across Europe. And don’t sleep on Bayern Munich — German sources claim the Bavarians are prepared to make a monster offer and fancy their chances of beating the Premier League big boys to the punch.
Forest, for their part, are still digging their heels in. Murillo remains one of their most prized assets and they do not want to sell. But the reality on the ground has changed. With consistent elite-level performances week after week, the 23-year-old has simply outgrown the City Ground. If a bid in the £60m–£70m bracket lands — especially at the higher end — the club will find it almost impossible to say no.
One senior source close to the situation told us: “Forest love Murillo and want him to stay, but they’re realistic. If Chelsea or Liverpool come in at £70m, it becomes very difficult to keep him. The player’s camp already senses the opportunity of a lifetime.”
So there it is — the inevitable is coming.
Murillo’s Nottingham Forest chapter is entering its final pages. A £70 million bidding war between Liverpool and Chelsea is about to explode, and when the dust settles, one of England’s brightest defensive talents will be walking out of the City Ground for the last time.
Forest fans, enjoy every remaining minute you have with him. Because he’s not staying. Not at any price they can realistically refuse.
The summer of 2025 is going to be loud. And Murillo is going to be right at the centre of it.