Nottingham Forest to ask for more than £20 million for Manchester United target Murillo – Man United News And Transfer News

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The defence has let Manchester United down big time with the Red Devils letting in three or more goals 13 times throughout the season.

Erik ten Hag’s tactics have not helped either while constant injuries have meant the Dutchman has been forced to reshuffle his backline every week.

Currently, he is without a specialist left-back and four out of five senior centre-backs. Arguably, the biggest miss both on and off the pitch has been Lisandro Martinez’s absence, with the Argentine missing 36 games so far.

United do not have an equally capable left-sided defender and the manager has tried out Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire in that position but no one has come close to replicating what the World Cup winner can offer.

LCB addition

The former Ajax star’s recent injury problems could lead to Ten Hag asking for an alternative so that he can be more careful with Martinez’s involvement moving forward.

Goncalo Inacio is one left-sided centre-back that the Red Devils are reportedly following. However, he is expected to cost £50 million.

A cheaper alternative is already playing in the Premier League, Murillo Santiago Costa dos Santos, better known as Murillo, of Nottingham Forest.

The 20-time English league champions have been linked with him in the recent past and it seems a summer race is on for his services with the best of Europe all chasing the Brazilian.

FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are some of the European clubs linked with a move while in the Premier League, Liverpool and Chelsea are eyeing the 21-year-old along with United.

Forest’s PSR concerns are well known and they have already been docked points and they need to sell in the summer which means Murillo could be on the move.

However, as Football Insider point out, his sale will cost in excess of £20 million and a bidding war could be the best solution for the beleaguered English side.

“Nottingham Forest will demand well in excess of £20 million for Murillo this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

“Transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that the Reds could command a “huge” fee for Murillo, 21, after his exceptional debut campaign at the City Ground.

“It is believed that Premier League giants Liverpool, Chelsea and Man United have registered interest in the defender while Paris Saint-Germain are also keeping tabs.

Murillo could be on the move

“Well-placed sources told Football Insider this week (14 April) that Forest could be forced to sell Murillo this summer as they may have to sanction player sales amid uncertainty around their profit and sustainability.”

The defender, who arrived from Brazilian side Corinthians, reportedly cost £15 million last summer and has been a mainstay in the Forest backline.

While Nuno Espírito Santo’s men are struggling in 17th place, Murillo’s displays have been top-notch with the defender in the top three percent for successful take-ons and in the top two percent for clearances among all defenders in the top five leagues as per Fbref.

His technical skills coupled with a robust frame make him an attractive proposition and being Premier League proven is something INEOS are looking for.

Whether United choose to strengthen on the left remains to be seen. The right is more of a pressing need with Varane set to depart while both Maguire and Lindelof have been linked with exits.

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