Liverpool’s big spending in last summer’s transfer window surprised the entire Premier League, especially after winning the title the previous year.
The Reds spent over £450m on new players during the aforementioned period, with the majority of that spending going to new attackers.
Arne Slott’s side reportedly paid £235m to sign Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, with the latter signing breaking England’s transfer record.
However, this reinforcement failed to have the desired effect during the 2025/26 season, with the club currently sitting in fifth place and only competing for Champions League qualification.
The large amount of money spent may have come as a shock to many, but it seems like the Reds are going to spend money again to strengthen their defensive unit, no matter how this season ends.
Liverpool’s £70m bid for defense star likely to be accepted
In recent days, it has been mentioned that Liverpool are just one of the clubs looking to sign Barcelona’s left-back Alejandro Balde in the summer transfer window.
The 22-year-old is regarded as one of Europe’s biggest defensive stars, with Slott’s side preparing for Andy Robertson’s departure from Anfield during the off-season.
However, it is currently unclear whether the Spanish giants will allow the youngster to leave, as the Spaniard’s contract also includes a £1bn release clause.
The centre-back department also appears to be looking to improve in the hierarchy over the summer, with Murillo the latest player to emerge on the shortlist.
According to TEAMtalk, the Nottingham Forest star is a highly admired player on Merseyside, which could lead to a move in the coming months.
However, with Manchester United already in talks to sign the Brazilian, a transfer dispute could well emerge.
Both deals are likely to be lucrative for the Reds, with Vitor Pereira’s side said to be prepared to sell Tricky Trees for a club-record fee in the region of £70m.
Why Murillo could be Liverpool’s next Van Dijk
As mentioned above, big spending has been no stranger to Liverpool over the past few years, and the centre-back department is an area where they have significantly strengthened.
Virgil van Dijk is just one of the players who forms part of a strong support in the division, having subsequently joined from Southampton in January 2018 in a £75m deal.
At the time, such a contract was the most expensive in football history for a defender, but considering his success at Anfield, this proved to be worth every penny.
The Dutchman made an incredible 364 appearances for the Reds during his eight years on Merseyside, while taking on the role of club captain.
He has also won six major trophies during this period, including two Premier League titles, and is arguably one of the best defenders to have ever graced the division.
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Where is Virgil van Dijk ranked?
At 34, Van Dijk is arguably in his final year as a professional and Murillo’s move would allow the club to acquire the next version of the fans’ favorite.
The Brazilian will follow in the footsteps of the Dutchman and join from the Premier League’s lower ranks, but he has incurred significant costs in the process.
The Forest star boasts a much smaller frame but possesses many similar qualities to Van Dijk and could be a big hit with Merseyside fans.
The 23-year-old is an excellent ball-playing option, as evidenced by his pass completion rate of 85% this term, ranking him in the top 10% of defenders for long ball success rate.
Murillo – PL Statistics (2025/26) | |
|---|---|
Statistics (every 90) | tally |
games played | twenty three |
goals and assists | 1 |
Pass accuracy | 85% |
Long ball completed | 3.6 |
Dribbling completed | 65% |
Number of intercepts | 1.4 |
Clearance has occurred | 5.5 |
The ball was collected | 4.4 |
His possession ability is further highlighted by his 65% dribble success rate, and he could be a perfect fit in Liverpool’s possession-based system under Slott.
But he’s just as dominant without the ball, as evidenced by his 4.4 ball recoveries per 90, which ranks him in the top 10% of players in this division.
A record of 1.4 interceptions and 5.5 clearances per 90 further enhances his profile as a great ball-winner on the ground, with his diminutive frame no doubt deceptive.
There is no doubt that Van Dijk is a level above Murillo, but the Brazilian could reach the next level if he moves to Anfield this summer.
He proved at Forest that he is capable of making it to the big stage as a 23-year-old with the physique to excel at the top level of European football.
The £70 million figure is another sign of intent from the board, but it is a deal that will allow the team to acquire another world-class central defender for years to come.
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