Liverpool identify the Nott'm Forest star as one of their top three transfer targets following Van Dijk's admission

Liverpool are seriously considering a move for Nottingham Forest centre-back Murillo but could face competition from Chelsea, TEAMtalk can exclusively reveal.

The Reds have drawn up a shortlist of centre-backs due to the uncertainty surrounding Virgil van Dijk, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

Van Dijk has not completely ruled out signing a new one Liverpool contract, but the club plans to bring in defensive reinforcements next summer.

“I can say that obviously there are (contract) discussions going on, but I don’t know, we’ll see what happens in the future,” Van Dijk said last week.

“My full focus is on Liverpool, I want to win games in front of me and nothing else. I have no idea at the moment what the future will bring.”

Sources have revealed to TEAMtalk that Murillo, 22, has been ‘strongly’ included in Liverpool’s shortlist as a key defensive target. We understand the Reds plan to keep a close eye on him throughout the season before deciding whether to make a move next summer.

Liverpool’s priority next summer will be to sign a centre-back good enough to play in the starting line-up straight away. Murillo and Sporting CP star Gonaclo Inacio are their current top targets. Sevilla star Loic Bade, meanwhile, is considered a cheap option with high quality and he will also be monitored by the Reds this season.

Liverpool and Chelsea are admirers of Murillo – sources

TEAMtalk understands that Murillo is also on Chelseas shortlist, but they are still currently analyzing the areas they want to focus on in the upcoming transfer window, and may have other priorities they need to resolve before signing a centre-back.

Enzo Maresca is happy with his current squad and has no plans to make any major additions in January, now The Blues expect a relatively quiet winter period.

In any case, Nottingham forest They have no intention of letting Murillo leave in January, but a big bid at the end of the season could force their hand.

The defender has played a key role in the Tricky Trees’ fantastic start to the season, which has seen them sit seventh in the Premier League.

Forest are yet to formalize a price tag for Murillo, but TEAMtalk sources say they would consider offers in the region of around £60m to £70m.

Inacio would therefore be a slightly cheaper option as he has a €60 million release clause in his contract with Sporting CP. #

As for Bade, he also has a €60 million release clause in his contract with Sevilla, but there should be room for negotiation on this even if the LaLiga side currently demand it in full.

Liverpool gossip: Alexander-Arnold latest / Arda Guler linked

Meanwhile, the Liverpool hierarchy’s current focus is on tying Trent Alexander-Arnold down to a new contract, amid concrete interest from Real Madrid.

Alexander-Arnold’s current contract expires at the end of the season, meaning he will be eligible to sign a pre-contract deal with any foreign club from early January ahead of a free transfer next summer.

Real Madrid have identified the Liverpool star as a top target amid Dani Carvajal’s injury problems. Reports suggest the LaLiga giants are willing to pay Alexander-Arnold £14million to £15million per year at the Bernabeu. They want him to sign a contract until the summer of 2030.

Sources have consistently told TEAMtalk that Liverpool are confident Alexander-Arnold will sign a new contract at Anfield, but as we approach January speculation around his future will only increase.

In other news, Liverpool are reportedly interested in one of Real Madrid’s most exciting youngsters, 19-year-old Arda Guler.

Reports suggest that a bid of £67m could be enough to sign the Turkey international, who can play as a right winger or attacking midfielder.

Arsenal have also been linked with a move for Guler, so we could potentially see the Gunners take on Liverpool for his signature.

IN FOCUS: Murillo vs Van Dijk, Prem stats this season

Murillo has become one of Forest’s key players since joining from Corinthians in the summer of 2023 on a £15million contract.

At 22 years old, the Brazilian defender still has a lot of room for improvement and as you can see from the stats, Van Dijk is far outperforming him in one key area.

Virgil van Dijk vs Murillo Prem stats so far this season

Van Dijk has always been one of football’s best readers and would be a major loss for Liverpool if he decided to leave the club next summer.

Murillo’s ability to make more interceptions may improve with more experience, but living up to Van Dijk’s legacy at Anfield will be a near-impossible task for any defender.