There is a distinct possibility that Virgil van Dijk could leave Liverpool at the end of the season.
Van Dijk is out of contract at Liverpool in the summer of 2025. No new deal is in place at the moment.
The Netherlands international is one of the best defenders in the world, and even at the age of 33, he is going as strong as ever.
Van Dijk’s performances have impressed Troy Deeney among other pundits, but the future of the former Celtic star is up in the air.
Arne Slot’s side have already started looking at potential replacements for Van Dijk. One defender Liverpool are monitoring is Jorrel Hato. Another is Murillo.
How much Liverpool could have to pay for Murillo
CaughtOffSide reported this month that Liverpool are keen on a deal for Nottingham Forest central defender Murillo.
The former Premier League and UEFA Champions League winners are looking for a long-term replacement for Van Dijk, and Murillo is a player they have identified as a potential target.
Liverpool, though, have to pay a lot of money for the defender. The Daily Mail has reported that Forest could demand as much as £80 million for the 22-year-old, adding that Real Madrid are also keen on him.
Jamie Redknapp rates Liverpool target Murillo highly
Murillo has been on the books of Forest since the summer of 2023 when he joined from Corinthians and has been very impressive.
The Brazilian central defender has scored one goal, given two assists and kept seven clean sheets in 43 appearances in the Premier League so far in his career.
Murillo has impressed many pundits, and one of them is former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp.
In October 2023, Redknapp said about the Forest star on Sky Sports “He possesses a lot of weapons in his armoury – he’s got a lovely left foot which I think gives you a massive advantage.
“You want a modern-day centre-back to be comfortable on the ball and he is but he also enjoys defending and loves to get himself in the way for a block.
“They paid £13 million for him this summer, which looks to be an absolute bargain. It’s never easy to come to the Premier League, but he’s just adjusted so easily.”