Liverpool and Chelsea in transfer battle for Premier League defender

Liverpool made four new signings during the summer transfer window to revitalise Andoni Iraola’s squad.

However, they are expected to be active in the upcoming transfer windows as well as there are a few holes to fill.

At the back, Virgil van Dijk’s contract expires in the summer and Joe Gomez has struggled with injuries, so they could do well with another centre-back option.

And if reports from England are to be believed, they are interested in signing Murillo from Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool want to sign Murillo

Football Insider report that both Liverpool and Chelsea want to sign the defender, who has made a massive impression in the Premier League.

Murillo is a key player for Oliver Glasner and it also goes without saying that Forest have proved to be tough negotiators with Evangelos Marinakis at the helm.

🚨 BREAKING: Murillo has signed a new contract at Nottingham Forest keeping him at the club until summer 2030.🌳

🗣️ Murillo: “This is my second renewal with the Club and I’m feeling so happy. It’s a dream and it’s really important for me, my family and my career. It shows me how… pic.twitter.com/1biJGOdiu8
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) May 23, 2026

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Liverpool already have Jeremy Jacquet, and with Giovanni Leoni also set to return soon, it remains to be seen what Iraola thinks about his central defensive options in 2027.

The Reds will also keep an eye on Ifeanyi Ndukwe’s development in Spain, but Murillo is certainly the kind of player they would target if they decide to dip into the transfer market.