Man Utd eye summer transfer for ex-Liverpool target Murillo to 'replace Harry Maguire' - The Mirror

Manchester United are looking to add a defender to their squad in the summer amid uncertainty over Harry Maguire's future and Nottingham Forest's Murillo is on their radar

Manchester United are mulling over a summer transfer swoop for Murillo, with the Nottingham Forest defender targeted at a time when Harry Maguire's future remains uncertain.

Murillo, 23, has been one of the Premier League's most impressive young centre-backs over the last two seasons after joining Forest from Corinthians for just £10million. And his form has not gone unnoticed at Old Trafford, with United's top brass already making plans ahead of a big summer, where they will decide on a new permanent head coach.

Nottingham Forest are in a strong position when it comes to transfer interest in Murillo having tied the Brazilian down to a new four-and-a-half year contract last January. But The Mail claim the United target is open to the idea of a move at the end of the season.

The report goes on to add that Murillo is among the options Manchester United are considering ahead of the summer as they plan to bolster their defence, potentially with a view to replacing Maguire, who is now inside the final six months of his contract.

It's claimed United's chances of landing Murillo from Forest would be strengthened if they qualify for the Champions League, with Forest unlikely to be in Europe next year unless they win the Europa League.

Attention from the Premier League's big boys is nothing new for Murillo or Nottingham Forest, who rejected a 'club-record offer' to cash in on their star defender last year from Chelsea. Liverpool have also previously been credited with an interest in the centre-half and are expected to be in the market for defensive reinforcements in the summer.

With United's interest in Murillo, it remains to be seen if the Red Devils will offer Maguire, 32, fresh terms, or whether the club's former captain will be free to depart Old Trafford on a free transfer at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

The England stalwart joined United for £80million back in 2019 in a deal which made Maguire the most expensive defender in the world.

He is now free to speak with foreign clubs with his deal set to expire in June.

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