Manchester United Ready to Move to Keep Murillo
October 11, 2026 ·
Manchester United has shown serious interest in recruiting Murillo from Nottingham Forest. However, Forest emphasized that they would not sell the player unless there was a very tempting offer.
Manchester United Ready to Move to Keep Murillo
Why this is important
Manchester United's interest in Murillo shows that they are looking for reinforcements at the back, especially ahead of the next summer transfer window. Murillo, who has shown impressive form in the Premier League, could be a valuable addition to a United squad that is looking to get back to winning ways. However, Nottingham Forest appears to be in a strong position, thanks to Murillo's long-term contract.
Background
Murillo, who is 24, has come a long way since joining Nottingham Forest from Corinthians in 2023. With 117 Premier League appearances, he has become one of the league's leading defenders, and his new contract, which runs until 2030, shows just how important he is to Forest. United's current inability to land Murillo highlights the challenges clubs face in a competitive transfer market.
Main Points
- Manchester United Ready to Move to Keep Murillo.
- Manchester United showed serious interest in recruiting Murillo from Nottingham Forest.
- Manchester United ready to move for Premier League defender.
Murillo, now 24 years old, has developed into one of the best defenders in the Premier League since joining from Corinthians in 2023. Over three full seasons, he has made 117 appearances and has become one of the key figures at the City Ground, gaining attention from some of the biggest clubs in England. The new contract Murillo signed last May, which runs until 2030, further strengthens Forest's position and removes the urgent need to sell the player.
In this case, Forest was very confident that they would not sell Murillo in the middle of the season. The message from the City Ground is clear: they have not included a January deal in their plans. This is a significant obstacle for Manchester United, because although clubs can admire players and carry out in-depth monitoring, if the selling party has no intention of negotiating, it is difficult for a transfer to take place.
Reports also say that Murillo is one of the names being considered by INEOS, which is part of United's plans to freshen up their back line which is considered to be starting to become monotonous. The description of United's defensive problems was stark, with claims that their defense had become "too familiar and a bit boring". There are also indications that some established players may come under closer scrutiny if recruitment in those positions accelerates.
United are reportedly desperate to add defensive options in January, and Murillo's profile is particularly intriguing. He offers mobility, quality in controlling the ball from the left side, physical strength and composure in duels. In a market where left-handed centre-backs are highly sought after, Murillo's value has only increased. However, the main challenge for Manchester United is cost. Nottingham Forest have pegged Murillo's price at "£70m to £80m", with little desire to negotiate below that figure. This places Murillo in the premium player category, reflecting his age and status in today's high-end defender market.
The reputation of Evangelos Marinakis, Forest owner, is known as being firm in negotiations, and the case of Morgan Gibbs-White is an example of how they handle similar situations. In Murillo's case, the same principle seems to apply. Interested clubs may need to defer their interest until the summer, and even that would only bring them into talks if Forest's conditions are fully met.
Meanwhile, Murillo remains one of the most idolized defenders in the division, but also one of the hardest to get. Although Manchester United wanted to make a move, Nottingham Forest made sure that any conversation started on their terms and with a very high figure. From a Manchester United perspective, this report is interesting because Murillo is the kind of player that supporters can immediately relate to. He's young, proven in the Premier League, aggressive without being reckless, and clearly comfortable playing in a team that has to deal with huge defensive spaces. Most importantly, though, this seems more like a story for summer than for January. Forest stating that they would need an “extraordinary offer” and that a deal in January was “highly unlikely” sounds like a very deliberate message to the market. In other words, if United wanted him now, they would have to pay well above normal levels. As a United supporter, there is also the question of priorities. Murillo appears to be an outstanding option, but £70m to £80m is serious money for one position, especially if there are needs elsewhere in the squad.
What happened next
With Nottingham Forest confirming that they will not sell Murillo unless a very tempting offer is made, Manchester United may need to look for other alternatives in the transfer market. If Forest sticks to their guns, United will have to consider other options to strengthen their defense. Meanwhile, Murillo's development in the Premier League will continue to attract the attention of other big clubs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is interested in Murillo?
Manchester United is interested in recruiting Murillo.
Where did Murillo come from before joining Nottingham Forest?
Murillo previously joined Nottingham Forest from Corinthians.
Why doesn't Nottingham Forest want to sell Murillo?
Nottingham Forest has no intention of selling Murillo as they have a strong position and the player has a long-term contract.
What is the current deal status for Murillo?
Nottingham Forest confirmed that they will not consider offers to sell Murillo in the January transfer window.
When will Murillo sign a new contract with Nottingham Forest?
Murillo signed a new contract with Nottingham Forest last May, which runs until 2030.
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