Murillo’s transfer dreams speak volumes as Man Utd target Nottingham Forest star - The Mirror

Manchester United are turning their attention to the summer transfer window, when they will need to replace the outgoing Harry Maguire, but may have an issue with top target Murillo

Manchester United are reportedly targeting Murillo for a summer transfer, but they might have some difficulty in persuading the Nottingham Forest star. Murillo has emerged as a target for United as they consider replacements for Harry Maguire this summer.

Maguire’s contract with United is due to expire in June and the club’s recruitment department is planning ahead by considering possible replacements. Murillo has impressed since joining Forest from Corinthians for £10million in 2023 and is understood to be open to leaving at the end of the 2025/26 campaign, despite signing a new deal a year ago.

Forest are 17th in the Premier League table and under their third manager of the season in the form of Sean Dyche after Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou were sacked. They will need to win the Europa League in order to qualify for Europe once more and could therefore struggle to hold onto their star players like Murillo and Elliot Anderson.

United are keen on both the defender and the midfielder, but know they will face fierce competition, especially if they don’t get back into Europe under Michael Carrick’s guidance. In the case of Murillo, they also have his stated desire to play for their biggest rivals.

The 23-year-old told the Benja Me Mucho podcast a year ago: “I had the dream of playing in the Premier League and I had that thought. I thought, ‘I’ll go to Nottingham Forest, have a good year and then I’ll go to a big club’.

“I had that in my head. I’d choose Manchester City but it would be more difficult for me to be a regular starter given the players they have in their squad. There’s City, Arsenal as well who are fighting for the Premier League title. I wouldn’t discard Liverpool either. It would be a good opportunity for me to show my football in a big club.”

Back in January 2025, it was Liverpool who were most strongly linked to Murillo and the Reds will also be on the lookout for centre-backs this summer, with Ibrahima Konate’s current deal set to expire.

They saw a £35m deal for Marc Guehi collapse on deadline day in the summer and are facing competition for the Crystal Palace star from Manchester City, who have injury problems of their own.

Murillo has made 96 appearances for Forest since arriving two and a half years ago and has formed a solid partnership with Nikola Milenkovic. Interest in his services is nothing new for Forest, who also rejected a 'club-record offer' to cash in on him last year from Chelsea.

Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.