Why Murillo is heading for the Champions League rather than the Championship with Liverpool, Arsenal and Real Madrid among his suitors

The best young defender in Europe may be relegated at the end of the season, but Murillo is headed for the Champions League, not the Championship.

Nottingham Forest’s Brazilian centre-back has been a shining light in a hugely difficult season for the club, who are on a knife’s edge.

A point ahead of Luton and with games against fellow strugglers Everton, Burnley and Sheffield United coming up, Forest’s future is at least in their hands. They are also appealing the four-point deduction for breaking the spending rules that have landed them in trouble.

But with Murillo in the lineup, Forest will feel much better. As he is beaten by a rival striker for the umpteenth time, supporters shout ‘You’ll never beat Murillo!’ – as they did for Des Walker, one of the finest Forest centre-backs of modern times.

Forest must be sold this summer to ensure they escape further punishment next season as profitability and sustainability vultures (PSR) circle. Murillo is worth at least £50m in today’s market and has Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle watching him, as well as Paris St. Germain, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

The Brazilian looks destined for the Champions League with Europe’s top clubs circling

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Murillo is built like a rugby league player but is as light on his feet as a ballet dancer. He can overcome an attacker with speed, strength or skill. His clearance to deny Joao Gomes in the first half – a diving header close to his own line to prevent a certain goal – was one of the moments of Forest’s season.

It all makes the £15m Forest paid Corinthians last August, after Murillo had made just 13 professional starts, one of the club’s best signings in an era of chaotic transfer spending. Murillo has logged more than 5,500 minutes in senior matches in the last 12 months, placing him near the top of the tree among players aged 21 and under.

Forest have good links with top agents in Brazil such as Giuliano Bertolucci, which paved the way for Danilo to join the club from Palmeiras in January 2023. Impressed with how Danilo developed under former boss Steve Cooper, Murillo’s representatives were delighted that he moved to the club. also the town plot.

Even before Murillo had made a first-team appearance, Cooper could see he was special in early training sessions, and while there is still a rawness to his game at times, Murillo’s career is only going in one direction. There are clear similarities to his Brazilian counterpart, Real Madrid centre-back Eder Militao, and it would be no surprise to see them team-mates in the Spanish capital one day.

For now, Murillo must help Forest stay up and this was a huge missed opportunity for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side. After falling behind to a spectacular strike from Matheus Cunha, one of four Brazilians in the starting line-up, Morgan Gibbs-White and Danilo scored either side of the break to put Forest in front. But then Cunha equalized after poor defending at a corner – the 22nd goal Forest have conceded from a set-piece this term.

Developments on Danilo, right, had prompted Murillo’s representatives to agree a move

Wolves are likely to have to sell again with Joao Gomes among those expected to have suitors

Wolves are in a much happier place than Forest. Although their European challenge is fading amid an injury crisis, Gary O’Neil’s men are not in danger of relegation – which any Wolves fan would have accepted after a worrying off-season last year, which saw manager Julen Lopetegui depart less than a week before. the season began.

But it could be a difficult summer. Like most clubs, Wolves have to be wary of PSR and will have to sell again – Gomes will have suitors, as will Cunha and Pedro Neto, although the latter’s injury problems could affect his price tag.

O’Neil had only 12 senior outfielders available for this one and reiterated his desire for a stronger squad next term. But how do Wolves make it happen with such limited room to maneuver in the transfer market? The 40-year-old will be offered a new contract at the end of the campaign and that will certainly feature in discussions.