Liverpool seriously considering £70m Premier League defender to replace Virgil van Dijk

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool have found themselves in an awkward situation heading into 2025 with Virgil van Dijk one of three star players who could leave Anfield for nothing.

The Netherlands international’s contract is due to expire at the end of this season, with Van Dijk attracting interest from Saudi Arabia as Liverpool continue to remain quiet on awarding their captain a new deal.

Although Van Dijk recently admitted that he is calm about his contract situation, Liverpool know that they will need to act fast of they’re to commit their star centre-back’s future to Merseyside, with a replacement hard to come by.

Yet Liverpool have seemingly identified a potential candidate in the Premier League.

Liverpool eye swoop for Nottingham Forest’s Murillo

According to TeamTalk, Liverpool are ‘seriously considering’ a move for Nottingham Forest centre-back Murillo, who has been exceptional for the City Ground side this season with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side sat seventh in the Premier League.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
5	ChelseaChelsea	9	5	2	2	19	11	8	17
6	BrightonBrighton	9	4	4	1	16	12	4	16
7	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	9	4	4	1	11	7	4	16
8	TottenhamTottenham	9	4	1	4	18	10	8	13
9	BrentfordBrentford	9	4	1	4	18	18	0	13

Starting for Forest in their historic win against Liverpool earlier this season, the 22-year-old defender has established himself as one of the most exciting young talents in the Premier League, with Chelsea also interested in signing Murillo.

READ MORE: Everything to know on Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk from his tattoo to net worth

As per the report, though, Liverpool could have to pay quite the fee for Murillo, with Forest likely to demand as much as £70m for the former Corinthians star, who could increase his value even more if the Garibaldi were to finish strongly this season.

Indeed, Liverpool know that replacing Van Dijk will be an impossible job, yet Murillo could be the ideal successor given his record in the Premier League and his age, with the Brazilian set for a long and successful career in England at the highest level.

How does Murillo compare to Van Dijk this season?

Murillo is quickly becoming one of the most sought after defenders in the Premier League, with the Sao Paulo-born centre-back a talent who could soon be playing for one of the biggest teams in the division.

And as per Murillo’s stats compared to Van Dijk’s this season, there’s not too much separating the two when it comes to the raw defensive stats, with the Liverpool captain only exceeding when it comes to interceptions per 90 minutes.

Replacing Van Dijk will be no small feat for Liverpool, but in Murillo, the Reds could have an ideal player who could one day grow into the role that will eventually be left behind by the Anfield icon, who could well leave next summer.