Barcelona monitor Murillo

According to Sport, Barcelona have started paying serious attention to Nottingham Forest defender Murillo.

The 22-year-old centre-back has caught the eye with top-class performances this season and has certainly played a big role in his team unexpectedly sitting third in the Premier League table, level on points with second-place Arsenal and only six behind leaders Liverpool. Murillo missed one league game through an adductor problem, playing the full 90 minutes in the remaining 21.

Liverpool are among the numerous clubs credited with interest in his services, but like Barcelona and any other potential suitor intending to move for Murillo in the transfer marked, they will have been dismayed and possibly put off by him signing a new four-and-a-half-year contract with Forest. That, combined with his obvious talent, quality and age, will make his price extremely high, several times higher than the €12 million Forest paid to sign him from Corinthians in 2023.

Barcelona also face an obstacle of their own, struggling to comply with La Liga’s financial regulations. For that reason, they’ve reportedly all but given up on signing Marcus Rashford, even though they believe head coach Hansi Flick would be able to bring out the best of the Manchester United forward.