United going all out to sign £70m “Brazilian Beckenbauer”, confident of finalising transfer – report

Harry Maguire became the world’s most expensive defender in 2019, signing for Manchester United from Leicester City. At the time, Michael Carrick was part of the club’s backroom staff.  Now, Carrick is at the helm and wants to rely on Maguire’s experience and physicality to steady the defence. Recently, The Peoples Person relayed a report claiming Carrick has “slammed the door shut” on a potential January exit for Maguire, despite enquiries from a number of clubs, including AC Milan and Inter. However, Maguire has entered the final six months of his contract at Old Trafford. A report in Spain suggests the England international will leave United on a free transfer, and plans to revamp the defence are already underway.  Manchester United want Murillo to replace Maguire According to Fichajes, Manchester United have identified Nottingham Forest defender Murillo as the “ideal candidate” to replace Maguire.  The Brazilian, who joined Forest from Corinthians in 2023 for a reported fee of about £10 million, has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most resilient defenders, owing to his mobility and intensity.  Murillo is equally exceptional in possession. He was given the nickname “Beckenbauer” at his former club for his line-breaking passing from deep. It is understood United are planning to sign the 23-year-old, who is valued at around £70m. Forest are not prepared to lose their defensive leader without a “record-breaking” fee.  Manchester United plotting double raid on Nottingham Forest The Brazil international is tied to the City Ground until 2029. Still, United are reportedly determined to sign him and will spare no effort to secure his signature in the summer. Furthermore, Murillo is eager to take on a bigger challenge. The Spanish outlet claims United are confident that the appeal of their sporting project will lure the Forest man to Manchester. Murillo is not the only Forest star on United’s radar. It has been widely reported that the Premier League giants are monitoring £100m-rated England midfielder Elliot Anderson. The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Vishal Singh Vishal has worked in the football media industry for over six years, planning, writing, and editing content for several major outlets, including North Star Network. Vishal has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Delhi University. Currently a writer at The Peoples Person, he covers Manchester United — a club he has been religiously following and supporting since 2012. Vishal also manages a leading MUFC fan page, The Red Devils, on Facebook with over a million likes. Big fan of ball-playing centre-backs and Harry Maguire’s knee-slide celebration!