Journo: Utd debating whether to match LFC’s £69.2m bid for ‘one of the most promising’ players in the Premier League

Liverpool are reportedly ‘preparing’ an offer for Nottingham Forest stalwart Murillo, which has prompted the attention of arch-rivals Manchester United.Indeed, the Merseyside outfit are looking to poke their noses in front of the defender’s suitors by sending a bid Forest’s way early doors.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL STRETTY NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES & BREAKING NEWS – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAYUnited and Liverpool’s interest in Murillo: The state of playJournalist Sebastien Vidal revealed on X/Twitter: “Liverpool are preparing an offensive for Murillo. The Brazilian defender from Nottingham Forest has become one of the most promising centre-backs in the Premier League. [He] now tops the Reds’ list for the summer. An offer around €80 million (£69.2m) is being considered… but Manchester United are also following the file very closely.” Liverpool prépare une offensive pour Murillo. Le défenseur brésilien de Nottingham Forest, devenu l’un des centraux les plus prometteurs de Premier League, figure désormais en haut de la liste des Reds pour l’été. Une offre autour de 80 M€ est envisagée… mais Manchester United… — Sébastien Vidal (@SebEcrivainFoot) March 8, 2026United have already been credited with interest in Murillo in recent weeks, with INEOS seemingly looking to continue their newly-implemented transfer stance of signing Premier League-proven stars.The additions of both Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha last summer were hugely impactful this campaign, so why not do it all over again this time around?Of course, it will be easier said than done to try to prise the Brazilian from Forest’s reluctant grasp.He has only been at the City Ground for two-and-a-half years following his £15m move from Corinthians in August 2023. Initially, he put pen to paper on a contract until the summer of 2028, but signed an extension last January to keep him tied to a deal until 2029.It means Forest will have a strong bargaining stance when it comes to negotiating any potential fee.Why Murillo might leave Forest prematurely this yearThat is, however, unless they drop down to the Championship come May. Currently, the Trees sit 17th-placed in the league and are level on points with 18th-placed West Ham, who are the more in-form team over the last few weeks.In the meantime, United’s links with Murillo come amid Harry Maguire’s uncertain future at Old Trafford; he is now in the final three months of his contract, although it is anticipated that he’ll be offered a short-term deal on reduced terms.Either way, depth will be essential if Michael Carrick achieves his goal and secures the club’s spot in the Champions League for 2026/2027.