“It’s happening again. First Jeremy Jacquet, now this Brazilian monster. Liverpool and Chelsea are officially at war over the Premier League’s most wanted defender.” Richard Hughes is reportedly working on a £50m deal to snatch a world-class Brazilian star right out from under Chelsea’s nose for the second time in 2026!

The transfer battle lines have been drawn, and the prize is a Brazilian “monster” who has taken the Premier League by storm. Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s sporting director, is reportedly working on a £50m deal to snatch Nottingham Forest’s Murillo right out from under Chelsea’s nose—for the second time in 2026.

**”It’s happening again. First Jeremy Jacquet, now this Brazilian monster. Liverpool and Chelsea are officially at war over the Premier League’s most wanted defender.”**

That verdict, now circulating through football’s inner circles, captures the escalating tension between two clubs who have made Murillo their primary defensive target. The 23-year-old Brazilian has emerged as the most coveted centre-back in English football, and the race to secure his signature is threatening to define the summer window.

## The Jacquet Precedent: Liverpool 1, Chelsea 0

Before Murillo, there was Jeremy Jacquet. And the outcome of that battle offers a blueprint for what Liverpool hope to achieve again.

In a dramatic January window, Liverpool hijacked Chelsea’s long-standing pursuit of the Rennes defender, securing a €60m plus €10m add-ons deal for the 20-year-old French U21 international . The move, confirmed by Fabrizio Romano with a “here we go,” saw Jacquet agree personal terms and commit to joining Anfield for the 2026-27 season .

Chelsea had prioritised Jacquet for most of the window, but Liverpool’s aggression—having “started talks at least three weeks ago before making a big push to pre-agree the deal”—proved decisive . The Blues were forced to pivot, recalling Mamadou Sarr from Strasbourg as a consolation prize .

Now, Hughes is attempting to replicate that success. The target? Murillo, the 23-year-old Brazilian who has transformed Nottingham Forest’s defence and attracted attention from across the Premier League.

## The Murillo Profile: Why He’s Worth the War

Murillo’s emergence has been nothing short of spectacular. Since arriving from Corinthians, he has adapted seamlessly to English football, combining:

– **Physical dominance**: Strong in one-on-one duels, aggressive in defending space
– **Progressive carrying**: Comfortable stepping into midfield with the ball, ranking among Forest’s leaders in progressive carries
– **Composure in possession**: A defender built for transition football, powerful yet calm enough to progress under pressure
– **Left-footed balance**: Natural distribution angles from the back, adding tactical flexibility

One recruitment analyst described him as **”a defender built for transition football, powerful in duels yet calm enough to progress possession under pressure”** . That profile fits both Liverpool’s high defensive line under Arne Slot and Chelsea’s structured build-up under Enzo Maresca .

## The Groundwork: 12 Months of Preparation

Neither Liverpool nor Chelsea have arrived at this pursuit casually. According to TEAMtalk, both clubs have **”done more groundwork on Murillo than any other club over the past 12 months, with both sides even weighing up bids last summer”** .

That sustained monitoring reflects long-term planning rather than reactive scouting. Murillo’s representatives have begun exploring options, with Liverpool and Chelsea considered the most proactive suitors . The expectation is that he will seek a move this summer if a Champions League-calibre side formalises interest .

## Liverpool’s Defensive Calculus

Liverpool’s motivation is rooted in defensive succession planning. Uncertainty surrounds the futures of Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez, with Konate out of contract at the end of the season and Gomez linked with a move away . Virgil van Dijk, at 34, remains the cornerstone, but succession planning is clearly underway .

Slot’s system demands centre-backs capable of progressive passing and aggressive duelling—the 2-3-5 build-up shape relies on defenders who can initiate attacks quickly . Murillo’s passing range and willingness to step into midfield echo traits seen in Van Dijk’s peak years, albeit with a more aggressive carrying style .

The club has already secured Jacquet for 2026-27 and has a £70m buy-back agreement for Jarell Quansah from Bayer Leverkusen, valid from 2027 . Murillo would represent immediate reinforcement and long-term planning combined.

## Chelsea’s Defensive Reshuffle

Chelsea’s interest carries equal logic. Even with Mamadou Sarr returning and Levi Colwill recovering from injury, defensive reshaping continues . The club are reportedly open to offers for Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoît Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah as they reassess squad balance .

A potential triple departure would accelerate their move for another centre-back, and Murillo’s Premier League adaptation makes him an appealing option . His ability to defend large spaces and carry the ball into midfield aligns with Chelsea’s preference for defenders comfortable in possession .

Chelsea’s recruitment under Todd Boehly has exceeded £1.5 billion since May 2022, but they are now adjusting strategy to target proven performers . Murillo fits that refined approach.

## The £50m Question: Forest’s Strong Hand

Nottingham Forest are braced for a summer exit push. The club recognise both the player’s ambition and his market momentum, with sources admitting Murillo has **”probably hit his ceiling”** at the City Ground .

Forest intend to negotiate from strength. Murillo signed a four-year contract in January 2025, and crucially, **no release clause exists**, giving Forest full control over negotiations . Their approach mirrors strategies surrounding Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson—assets they will only relinquish at premium value .

Valuation discussions place his price **beyond £50 million**, with some reports suggesting a fee north of that figure will be required . However, the valuation could come down if Forest are relegated at the end of the season—a scenario that remains possible .

## The Brazilian Factor: Player Preference

Murillo’s own preference could prove decisive. The one-cap Brazil international is keen to move at the end of the season and does not want to compete in the Championship if Forest go down . Both Liverpool and Chelsea can offer European football and the platform to fight for trophies .

According to Football Insider, **Chelsea is currently leading the race** to sign Murillo . The player is said to be keen on the move, with Chelsea prepared to provide him with an exit route in the summer . However, TEAMtalk’s reporting suggests both clubs have done extensive groundwork, with the race far from decided .

## The Wider Interest: Arsenal, United, and Spurs Waiting

While Liverpool and Chelsea appear most advanced, they are not alone. **Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have all tracked Murillo extensively**, reinforcing the sense that his future remains within England’s elite bracket .

Arsenal’s positioning is linked to tactical flexibility. Their evolving use of players in multiple positions may leave central depth unresolved, keeping Murillo on their radar . Manchester United and Tottenham’s interest feels conditional, shaped by internal defensive audits . Both clubs admire his trajectory, though recruitment priorities will depend on outgoing movement and budget allocation .

## What Murillo Would Bring

The consensus across the league is strikingly consistent: Murillo is an emerging defender ready to scale into Champions League level competition . His statistical profile this season tells the story:

– **Progressive carries**: Ranks highly among Forest’s leaders, comfortable driving forward
– **Interceptions**: Strong reading of the game, anticipating danger before it develops
– **Physical duels**: Powerful in one-on-one situations, aggressive in defending space
– **Composure**: Calm under pressure, capable of progressing possession even when pressed

For Liverpool, he would provide immediate competition and long-term succession. For Chelsea, he would offer stability in a defence that has fluctuated through partnerships and injuries.

## The Summer Battlefield

With multiple suitors circling and groundwork already laid, the stage appears set for competitive escalation . Liverpool and Chelsea may hold positional advantage today, yet transfer markets evolve quickly once formal offers emerge .

For Hughes, securing Murillo would represent a second successive victory over Chelsea in the defensive market—a statement of intent that Liverpool’s recruitment machine, under his leadership, can outmanoeuvre even the wealthiest rivals.

For Chelsea, losing another defensive target to Liverpool would raise uncomfortable questions about their recruitment strategy and ability to close deals.

## The Final Word

The Jacquet hijack in January was a warning shot. The Murillo battle is the full-scale war.

**”First Jeremy Jacquet, now this Brazilian monster.”**

If Hughes pulls it off again, Liverpool will have secured two of the most coveted young defenders in Europe—both snatched from under Chelsea’s nose—in a single transfer window cycle. For a club managing succession planning and squad evolution, that would be a masterstroke of staggering proportions.

The £50m question is whether Chelsea can strike back, or whether Liverpool’s recruitment machine will prove unstoppable.

The battle lines are drawn. The prize awaits. And at Anfield and Stamford Bridge, the war for Murillo has only just begun.