Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has set the price tag for what would be a record-breaking Forest sale as Bayern Munich circle, according to a new report.
Forest take on Fenerbahçe as Pereira looks to spark revival
Forest have a Europa League play-off tie to negotiate tonight when Fenerbahçe arrive at the City Ground.
It is a fixture that, not so long ago, would have seemed impossible to imagine — Forest back in European football, hosting a heavyweight Turkish side in front of a packed and expectant home crowd.
They arrive at this tie in confident mood after their 3-0 away win last week — Murillo, Igor Jesus and Morgan Gibbs-White all on the scoresheet — gave them a commanding first-leg advantage.
Barring a catastrophic collapse, Forest are heading into the last 16.
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The Tricky Trees face a battle to keep them.
The Premier League table still makes for uncomfortable reading, with the Tricky Trees just two points above the drop zone, but this European adventure has given the City Ground a lift that money cannot buy.
Nights like tonight remind supporters exactly what this club is capable of when things click.
At the heart of it all, week after week, has been one man who has caught the attention of some of the biggest clubs on the continent.
Indeed, Murillo has been exceptional this season yet again in testing circumstances.
The 23-year-old Brazilian centre-back has brought composure, authority and left-footed elegance to the Forest backline in a way that has turned heads far beyond the East Midlands.
His ability to carry the ball out of defence, play forward under pressure and read the game with a maturity well beyond his years has made him one of the most sought-after defenders in European football.
Chelsea, Liverpool and a host of top Premier League sides have been eyeing up Murillo for a long time, but Bayern are also extremely keen.
Bayern Munich plan ‘major move’ for Nottingham Forest star Murillo
According to TEAMtalk, a sale this summer is now considered increasingly likely if the right offer arrives — and the interest is as serious as it gets.
Chelsea have done the most groundwork, scouting Murillo extensively over the past 12 months and reportedly coming close to making a move last summer.
Liverpool are equally serious. The Reds have their own defensive questions to answer this summer, with Ibrahima Konate’s future uncertain and doubts growing over the long-term picture at the back. Murillo has been identified as a player who could address exactly those concerns.
Man United, Arsenal and Tottenham have also registered interest, and Real Madrid and Barcelona both have him on their radar too.
However, the most intriguing development is the emergence of Vincent Kompany’s Bundesliga champions as serious contenders.
TT suggest Bayern are ready to make a ‘major move’ for Murillo this summer and believe they have a genuine chance of beating Premier League clubs to his signature, with the Bavarians holding a huge interest.
Forest have tied him down until 2029 and their valuation sits between £60 million and £70 million, with Marinakis poised to demand a fee that would eclipse their club-record sale of Anthony Elanga to Newcastle.
They will not let him go cheaply, but with this level of competition circling, holding on may prove harder than anyone at the City Ground dares admit.
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