Liverpool want £70m Brazil star to replace Van Dijk

Liverpool will soon require a long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk.

The Dutchman is approaching the final year of his current Liverpool contract - and will be turning 36 in the summer of 2027.

While the captain retains many of his powers it would be surprising to see the club hand him a new deal - especially on his current £400k per week wages.

Therefore Richard Hughes and Arne Slot have been scanning the market for the right kind of player to come in and take over.

There is a chance that Liverpool do business for a left-sided centre-back this summer and use the 2026/27 season as an opportunity for Van Dijk to impart his knowledge to a successor.

Liverpool ready £70m offer for Murillo

Top-level talents in the shape of Nico Schlotterbeck and Alessandro Bastoni have been linked. But the ideal solution may well be lurking in the lower reaches of the Premier League.

According to a report in TEAMtalk Liverpool are preparing to trigger a bid for Murillo - Nottingham Forest’s 23-year-old defensive standout.

“They could table a substantial bid around the €80 million mark (£69.4m, $92.5m) this summer to bolster their rearguard and with the Brazilian regarded as a possible long-term option to step into the ageing Virgil van Dijk’s shoes,” the report reads.

Forest will struggle to hang on to Murillo

The Brazilian international is attracting attention from around the top flight - with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham all credited with interest.

Further afield and Real Madrid as well as Barcelona have been reported as keen to add the strapping left-footer to the ranks. However Premier League interest is likely to win out for Murillo who is valued at around £70m.

Forest have got their star defender under contract until 2029 but will find it very difficult to hold onto him over the summer. Their prospects would reduce even further if they are sucked into the relegation fight.

Liverpool are therefore ready to contest his signing - and prepare the way for Murillo to one day take over from Van Dijk.

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