SCOUT’S REPORT: INSIDE THE SKILLS MAKING MURILLO A £70M TARGET FOR BAYERN MUNICH
Nottingham Forest transfer shock! Get the latest on Murillo's record fee and the Europa League last-16 push at the City Ground.
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has put a huge price tag on Murillo, and it’s got everyone talking. Bayern Munich are circling, and if this deal goes through, it’ll smash Forest’s transfer record.
Tonight’s a big one at the City Ground. Forest face Fenerbahçe in the Europa League play-offs, and it feels surreal. Not long ago, nobody would’ve believed Forest would be back in Europe, hosting a club as big as Fenerbahçe in front of a packed, buzzing stadium.
Forest comes into the game flying after a 3-0 win away last week. Murillo, Igor Jesus, and Morgan Gibbs-White all scored, so they’ve got a strong lead. Unless something goes horribly wrong, Forest are heading for the last 16.
Sure, the Premier League table is still a bit grim. Forest are only two points clear of the relegation zone, but this European run has given the fans a lift that money just can’t buy. Nights like this one remind everyone what Forest can do when everything clicks.
Right in the middle of all this is Murillo. Week after week, he’s stood out. The 23-year-old Brazilian centre-back has brought calm, class, and a bit of flair to Forest’s defence. He’s comfortable on the ball, never seems rattled, and reads the game like someone much older. It’s no wonder clubs all over Europe have their eyes on him.
Chelsea and Liverpool have been tracking him for a while. Chelsea nearly made a move last summer after sending scouts to watch him over and over. Liverpool is in the mix too, especially with questions over their defence and Ibrahima Konate’s future up in the air. Murillo fits exactly what they need.
Manchester United, Arsenal, and Tottenham are all interested. Even Real Madrid and Barcelona have been watching him. But here’s the real twist: Bayern Munich, fresh off another Bundesliga title under Vincent Kompany, is pushing hard. They’re serious about bringing Murillo to Germany and think they can beat the Premier League giants to his signature.
Forest has Murillo under contract until 2029, and Marinakis wants between £60 and £70 million more than they got for Anthony Elanga when he left for Newcastle. Forest isn’t about to let him go on the cheap, but with so many heavyweights circling, it’s going to be tough to keep him at the City Ground much longer.
THE 2031 PLAN: UNEARTHING BAYERN’S LONG-TERM STRATEGY TO LOCK LENNART KARL UNTIL NEXT DECADE
Bayern leads by eight: Read about Lennart Karl’s 2029 extension, Manuel Neuer’s rehab, and Musiala’s plan for Der Klassiker
Bayern Munich grabbed a gritty 3-2 win over Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend, and thanks to RB Leipzig holding Borussia Dortmund to a draw, they’ve stretched their lead at the top to eight points.
That kind of cushion gives Bayern a serious mental edge before they head to Signal Iduna Park for the big showdown. Even with the tough away setting, you can sense the confidence. Head coach Vincent Kompany saw some good signs in training today, which definitely helps.
Team captain Manuel Neuer trained individually under rehab coach Simon Martinello, according to Kerry Hau from Sky Sports. Neuer, now 39, still can’t do jumping or aerial drills yet, but he’s moving well and handling more intense exercises without issue.
He’s working to be fit in time for Saturday’s match. Realistically, Jonas Urbig will probably start since he’s healthier, but Neuer’s influence in the locker room is huge, especially for a game like this.
On the bright side, Konrad Laimer is back training with the team after a minor knock. He missed the Frankfurt match just to manage his workload, but now he’s aiming to start this weekend. With Alphonso Davies out with a muscle injury and Hiroki Ito struggling for form, Laimer’s return matters. He and Josip Stanisic are likely Kompany’s go-to options on the flanks.
Jamal Musiala is looking sharper, too, after his nasty injury at the Club World Cup. He started against Frankfurt, played 78 decent minutes, and then made way for Serge Gnabry. BILD reports that Musiala is doing extra daily sessions designed by specialists and physios, working closely with the club’s medical team. He’s turning 23 soon and should see more minutes in the starting lineup, aiming to hit peak form for the Champions League Round of 16 in mid-March.
Off the pitch, there’s some good news for team morale: Lennart Karl just extended his contract with Bayern until 2029 right after his 18th birthday. Max Eberl and the board are already looking to make that deal even longer and bump up his salary, with a new agreement expected to run through 2031.
Despite rumours linking him to Real Madrid, Karl’s happy at Bayern and feels good about the club’s project. He’s ready to commit long-term, according to Fabrizio Romano.
THE 2027 CLAUSE: HOW DANIEL BANJAQUI’S CONTRACT LENGTH GIVES BAYERN THE UPPER HAND IN NEGOTIATIONS
Bayern Munich are hunting for a new right-back! Read about the interest in Daniel Banjaqui, Givairo Read, and Sacha Boey's exit.
Bayern Munich aren’t losing sleep over signing a new centre-back this summer. They’re actually more interested in shoring up their defence somewhere else; right-back is the priority.
Back in January, Bayern let Sacha Boey leave on loan. The French defender just wasn’t getting minutes, so he went back to Galatasaray. Over there, he’s settled in fast and looks happy. Galatasaray have the option to buy, and honestly, it’s almost certain that Boey leaves Bayern for good when summer rolls around.
With Boey out, Bayern’s only real right-back is Konrad Laimer. Josip Stanisic can fill in, but he’s more comfortable on the left. Joshua Kimmich is too important in midfield, and Tom Bischof? Maybe as a last resort, but that’s not ideal.
So, Bayern are searching for a true right-back. Sky Sports Germany says they’ve added Benfica’s 17-year-old Daniel Banjaqui to their list. Banjaqui and his camp know Bayern are watching. Benfica might have to let him go; his contract’s up in 2027, but he’s only played three times for the first team this season, mostly sticking with the reserves.
If Bayern do land Banjaqui, they’d likely rotate him with Laimer next year. The big question is whether Banjaqui’s ready to jump into the deep end so early in his career.
Still, Givairo Read is the main name on Bayern’s list for right-back. He’s already talked to the club about a summer move. Bayern plan to push for him as soon as the window opens, but there’s a catch: Read is dealing with a hamstring injury, and they need to be sure he’s fully fit. He’s missed a chunk of this season because of it.
Feyenoord know Bayern want Read, but Manchester City are circling, too. Bayern can’t afford to drag their feet. If they can’t get Read, Banjaqui becomes the backup plan. For now, Read’s deal looks promising, but as always, things can change fast in the transfer market.
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