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.
LUIS DIAZ DECLARES BAYERN MOVE "RIGHT DECISION" AFTER SLAYING REAL MADRID
Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher react as Luis Diaz haunts Madrid. Is the €75m star the world's best winger?
Luis Diaz says he has no regrets about leaving Liverpool and feels he made the right call by signing with Bayern Munich last summer.
He landed in Bavaria for €75 million (about $87 million/£66 million), and honestly, he hit the ground running, scoring 23 goals and 18 assists already. He’s even chasing some European silverware after scoring the opener in Bayern’s Champions League quarterfinal first-leg win over Real Madrid on Tuesday.
The Bundesliga title looks just about wrapped up, too; Bayern’s nine points clear at the top, so Diaz will probably add a winners’ medal to his collection.
Everyone’s talking about Vincent Kompany’s team as one of Europe’s best, and with Liverpool struggling this season, it’s easy to see why Diaz feels moving to Germany was the right move.
“Coming to Bayern was absolutely the right decision for me. I’m really happy, and I enjoy every game,” Diaz told ESPN after Bayern’s 2-1 win at the Bernabeu. “I feel strong, and that’s helped me stay available to help the team.”
Diaz’s red-hot form even got Steven Gerrard talking about wanting him back at Anfield, and Jamie Carragher agrees Liverpool misses him.
He might actually play at Anfield again later this month, if both Bayern and Liverpool get through their Champions League quarterfinals. If Real and PSG go out, Bayern and Liverpool face off in the semis.
When asked about Bayern’s showing in Madrid, Diaz said, “We’re happy, but we feel like we could’ve scored another goal or two. We played a great match against a really tough opponent.
“We won the ball, moved it quickly, and executed our game plan. We’d already studied Real Madrid, and everything worked the way we expected.
“We felt comfortable, recovered the ball more, and controlled the match better. That’s exactly how we like to play.”
Diaz and Harry Kane both scored for Bayern, while Kylian Mbappe grabbed a late goal for Real to keep things interesting heading into the second leg.
Back at Liverpool, Diaz scored 41 goals in 148 games and picked up a Premier League title, the FA Cup, and two Carabao Cups. He made 36 appearances in the Reds’ 2024/25 title-winning season, and a lot of people feel Liverpool’s struggles this year are down to losing him.
WHY BAYERN MUNICH AND RAPHAEL GUERREIRO ARE PARTING WAYS THIS SUMMER
Bayern Munich and Raphael Guerreiro agree to part ways this June, ending a versatile three-year stint at Allianz Arena.
Bayern Munich announced on Monday that it and Raphael Guerreiro have agreed not to extend his contract. The 32-year-old will leave the Allianz Arena this coming June, ending a three-year stint that began with a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2023.
The decision to part ways seems to be mutual, with both club and player aiming to finish the current season strong. During his time in Munich, the Portuguese international has been a dependable figure, contributing to Bayern’s Bundesliga title and the DFL-Supercup win. Now, attention turns to securing more silverware before Guerreiro’s departure.
Max Eberl, Bayern’s sporting director, praised Guerreiro’s role beyond the field, highlighting the defender’s professionalism and influence in the locker room, especially during times of change for the club. Eberl remarked, “We want to thank Rapha for the time we shared: he could always be counted on on the pitch, and people with his character enrich any dressing room. The conversations with him were good, based on trust and understanding. Now we are focusing together on our goals until the summer; together we want to achieve much more.”
Throughout his time at Bayern, Guerreiro has been valued for his versatility. Described as a ‘Swiss Army knife’ by the coaching staff, he has made 89 appearances, scored 12 goals, and provided eight assists. His flexibility has allowed him to perform as a traditional left-back, wing-back, and even in midfield. This season alone, he has featured in 23 matches across all competitions, starting nine times and scoring four goals.
On the international stage, Guerreiro remains an experienced and decorated professional. With 65 caps and four goals for Portugal, he played a significant part in their Euro 2016 victory and the first UEFA Nations League triumph in 2019. He also represented Portugal in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, underscoring his enduring presence at the highest level of the game.
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