MURILLO RACE IGNITES: CHELSEA AND MAN UTD PREPARE INITIAL BIDS FOR FOREST'S BRAZILIAN GEM
Man Utd and Chelsea are hunting Murillo! Discover why legends believe the Forest star could become a £100M record-breaking defender.
Manchester United and Chelsea are both keeping an eye on Murillo, the Brazilian centre-back making waves at Nottingham Forest. Forest legend Viv Anderson said that whoever manages to sign him is getting the club’s “best player". There’s talk that Murillo could break records and become the first defender to command a £100 million price tag.
Right now, though, no one’s offering that kind of money. People close to the situation say Forest would probably consider bids in the £50-70 million range. Still, the club isn’t going to let him go without a fight.
Murillo’s under contract until 2029, so Forest doesn’t have to sell unless he pushes for a move. He only joined from Brazil in 2023, and at just 23, there’s no rush on their end unless he decides it’s time to leave.
Anderson, who’s watched Murillo closely through his 100 appearances for Forest, said, “I did an event for Forest about six or seven months ago with Ryan Yates – some Adidas thing for the club. We were there for hours, and I just asked him, 'Who's the best player?' He answered Murillo straight away. That tells me everything.”
Anderson rates him highly, too. “He’s a really good player. If he does go, he’ll be missed. He’s got a great left foot and can hit those diagonal passes. Yates calling him the best surprised me, honestly, especially with all the talent they’ve got.”
Anderson played with some legendary defenders at Forest under Brian Clough, so he knows what he’s talking about. “Murillo’s not just an old-school ‘head it and kick it’ guy like Lloyd or Burns. Those guys could play, but Clough always said, ‘Once you get the ball, give it to someone who can really play.’ It’s different now. Murillo is so comfortable on the ball. These days, centre-backs have to be.”
Former Forest captain Stuart Pearce rates Murillo, too. He said, “I really like him. He just keeps turning up, plays every game, and reads the game so well. He’s not your typical centre-half; he’s got a physique that reminds you of SpongeBob, but he’s a real talent. He’s calm with the ball and can pick a pass. Sometimes he does unexpected things, but for his age, he stands out.”
Stan Collymore, another Forest favourite, has also weighed in. When asked if Murillo could be the first £100 million defender, he said, “He could. Clubs are watching. Personally, I hope he stays at Forest for a few more years. He’s just signed a new deal.”
Collymore added, “He’s got a bit of everything. The funny thing is, he doesn’t look like a centre-back. He’s not tall, and he moves kind of awkwardly, but he’s a real defender who loves to get physical, sticks close to attackers, and reads the game well. He might end up being the first £100 million defender, which would be huge for Forest. But honestly, I hope he stays another couple of years.”
WHY WOLVES’ RELEGATION MAKES JOãO GOMES THE PREMIER LEAGUE’S TOP SUMMER TARGET
With Wolves relegated, midfielder João Gomes is set to leave. We explore Crystal Palace's interest and the race for the Brazilian star.
Crystal Palace are already mapping out their plans for the summer transfer window, and Wolves’ relegation has created a clear opening in midfield.
With Wolverhampton dropping to the Championship, it looks like several key players might be on their way out. Among them, João Gomes is quickly becoming a realistic target for Premier League clubs aiming to bolster their midfield.
According to Brazilian journalist Bruno Andrade on ESPN Brazil, Wolves have essentially put a number of players up for sale. This decision is influenced by both tactical shifts and financial considerations.
The club anticipates that playing in the Championship will require a different style of midfielder and is also mindful of the potential drop in market value if they hold onto high-value players like João Gomes.
Despite Wolves’ struggles as a team this season, João Gomes has consistently performed well on an individual level, which is central to Wolves’ plan.
Their strategy seems to be selling while his value remains relatively strong, and Crystal Palace appears eager to make a move. Wolves want to avoid a scenario where a season in the Championship would diminish both his exposure and transfer worth.
Data from FBref and WhoScored shows the Brazilian midfielder has been one of Wolves’ most active players, averaging over two tackles per 90 minutes and regularly ranking high in ball recoveries.
Andrade notes that internally, Wolves expect João Gomes to depart once the European season wraps up.
Crystal Palace isn’t the only club showing interest. Atlético Madrid has also been scouting midfield reinforcements for some time.
It’s not clear if formal talks have started yet, but the interest from both sides is genuine and ongoing.
Palace is in the process of building a more dynamic and aggressive midfield setup, where João Gomes’ style of pressing, engaging in duels, and quick transitions would fit well.
That said, competition will be stiff. Atlético’s ongoing search for balance in midfield suggests they won’t step back easily.
We’ve also heard that Napoli is working toward a possible deal for him.
Looking ahead, João Gomes is expected to stay in Europe for now. A move back to Brazil is considered unlikely despite interest and financial power from clubs like Flamengo, Palmeiras, and Cruzeiro.
For Crystal Palace, this is definitely a situation to keep an eye on. Wolves seem open to selling, the player is attracting attention, and the timing coincides with a market opportunity triggered by relegation.
The key will be who makes the first formal offer. Palace has acted early but is certainly not the only one in the running.
HOW MORGAN GIBBS-WHITE’S ELECTRIC HAT-TRICK REVIVED HIS 2026 WORLD CUP SQUAD DREAMS
Morgan Gibbs-White scored a 15-minute hat-trick as Forest beat Burnley 4-1. We analyze his late bid for an England World Cup squad spot.
Morgan Gibbs-White has been urged to keep putting England manager Thomas Tuchel in a tricky spot with his performances at Nottingham Forest.
His hat-trick on Sunday was nothing short of impressive. Not only did it help the Reds secure a solid 4-1 win over Burnley, but it also raised his total to 15 goals across all competitions this season. That tally put him level with the top English scorers in the Premier League before Danny Welbeck briefly edged ahead by scoring for Brighton against Chelsea.
Despite this, Gibbs-White didn’t make the cut for England’s recent squad for the March matches. With the World Cup on the horizon, he faces a challenging battle to get selected. Yet, pundit Ally McCoist believes there’s still time for Forest’s No. 10 to make a strong case for inclusion.
McCoist praised his hat trick on talkSPORT, highlighting the quality, especially of the second and third goals, the volley and the header. He also suggested that the last two England games weren’t great opportunities for players outside the squad to prove themselves, and some who did get in might have actually hurt their chances for the final tournament.
As for Gibbs-White’s chances, McCoist didn’t think it was too late but admitted that, realistically, he might miss out on the World Cup squad. Still, the message for him is clear: keep scoring and keep performing. That’s the way to make Tuchel reconsider.
Jamie Carragher shares a similar perspective. He’s a fan of Gibbs-White and appreciates his energy, pace, and ability to operate between the lines. However, Carragher doubts anyone outside the current 35-man squad will make it to the final team, which dims Gibbs-White’s prospects for now.
Looking back at the game, Forest were down at half-time against Burnley. It was Gibbs-White’s quickfire three goals in 15 minutes after the break that flipped the script and pushed Forest five points clear of the drop zone.
Coach Vitor Pereira adjusted tactics at half-time, asking Gibbs-White to take on a different role, which the player adapted to without issue. Pereira didn’t hesitate to say his key player deserves a spot in the England team. He pointed out not just Morgan’s technical and tactical abilities but also his character and leadership qualities, how he steps up when the team is struggling and refuses to shy away from responsibility.
In Pereira’s words, Gibbs-White’s attitude and hunger for the ball set him apart. That combination of skill and spirit makes him a vital asset for Forest, and maybe, just maybe, for England too.
