Liverpool are beginning to look ahead to what could be a busy summer transfer window.
As we know, the most important business Liverpool do will be bringing in a brand new manager. In that respect, they continue to battle hard to lure Xabi Alonso back to Anfield.
However, sorting out who will succeed Jurgen Klopp is not the only thing on incoming sporting director Richard Hughes’ agenda.
Hughes is also reportedly set to drive Liverpool’s summer recruitment, with Michael Edwards overseeing things. And with that in mind, he may not like the price-tag that’s just been slapped on one potential target.
Liverpool looking ahead to summer window
Most Liverpool fans would now agree that a new centre-back should be relatively high on their team’s shortlist.
The emergence of Jarell Quansah from the academy has meant that the need for a defensive addition has been lessened somewhat. However, with Joel Matip on his way out, there’s still potentially room for a new signing.
As a result, plenty of centre-backs from across the world have reportedly been subject to interest from Liverpool.
The latest said to be on the list is Nottingham Forest’s Murillo. The Brazilian has been in good form since signing for Forest last year and as per The Daily Mail has caught Liverpool’s eye.
Nottingham Forest looking for big Murillo fee
According to The Telegraph, Liverpool – or anyone else for that matter – aren’t going to be able to get Murillo on the cheap.
Despite Forest’s recent points deduction for breaching profit and sustainability rules, the club are said to be ‘under no pressure’ to sell players on the cheap. Consequently, they’re claimed to be taking a ‘tough stance’ over their key stars.
One of these is Murillo, who was signed for just £11m from Corinthians last summer. Although he was bought for a good price, Forest are reportedly under the impression that the Brazilian could soon be worth £70m.
In any case, the relegation-threatened side are said to be only willing to entertain offers of ‘well above’ their record sale – the £47.5m Tottenham paid for Brennan Johnson last year – for either Murillo or Morgan Gibbs-White.
More specifically, £50m is mentioned as a benchmark that any bidding team will have to exceed in order to land either player.
No teams are mentioned by name where Murillo is concerned. However, there is claimed to be ‘growing interest’ in the 21-year-old. With Liverpool seemingly one of these, they’ll have to weigh up whether they can stomach the price.