Real Madrid are looking at the Premier League for a new centre-half with Nottingham Forest’s Murillo and Everton giant Jarrad Branthwaite joining Cristian Romero and William Saliba on their radar.
- Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
With English football currently home to some of the best young defenders in Europe, a Real Madrid side looking to revitalise their backline in 2025 are already sniffing around at the City Ground, Goodison Park and the two North London giants.
HITC understands that Carlo Ancelotti’s reigning European Champions – who missed out on Leny Yoro to Manchester United in July – have been doing their homework on Murillo recently.
An £11 million signing from Corinthians in his native Brazil, Murillo is perhaps the most inspired bit of business Nottingham Forest have completed since returning to the Premier League back in 2022.
A fine defender but also an outstanding ball-progressor – he possesses the passing range and technical qualities every top club looks for in a centre-half these days – Murillo is likely to emerge as one of the planet’s most in-demand stoppers over the coming months.
HITC understands that Chelsea and Liverpool also like 22-year-old Murillo.
La Liga leaders Barcelona and German giants Bayern Munich are watching closely too, the latter still in the market for defenders after failing to agree a deal for Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah over the summer.
Real Madrid eye Murillo and Jarrad Branthwaite
Real Madrid, meanwhile, are not putting all their eggs in the Murillo basket.
They also admire Arsenal’s William Saliba and Cristian Romero of Tottenham Hotspur. Both players are under contract until 2027, however. It would take a colossal fee for either club to even consider cashing in.
Another name to keep an eye on, meanwhile, is that of Jarrad Branthwaite.
Given Everton’s precarious position both financially and on the pitch – relegation again feels like a very realistic concern for Sean Dyche’s men – The Toffees may struggle to hold out for the same £75 million fee they demanded from Manchester United heading into 2025.
Man United offered £50 million for Branthwaite before walking away. Erik ten Hag’s side shifted their focus to Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt.
Now, one-time England international Branthwaite is under consideration by Real Madrid. A natural left-sided centre-half, like Murillo, he could be viewed as a long-term replacement for David Alaba.
Aged 32, the Austrian has endured a difficult time at the Santiago Bernabeu. Alaba missed most of the 2023/24 season with an ACL injury he is still yet to return from.
Ian Wright a big fan of Murillo
The aforementioned Murillo was linked with Wolves, Aston Villa and Manchester City before putting pen to paper with Nottingham Forest in August 2023.
His rise to prominence over the last 13 months, meanwhile, has been nothing short of remarkable.
“The way they defended, you know, he’s getting to be one of my favourite players to watch, Murillo at the back for Forest,” Arsenal legend Ian Wright told his Wrighty’s House podcast recently.
“He’s so good. He’s so good on the ball. His passing out of defence… very good.”
Madrid target William Saliba shines as Arsenal hold Man City
Given the place Forest and Everton occupy in the food chain, Murillo and Branthwaite may be viewed as more attainable for Real Madrid than either Romero or Saliba.
The latter is pretty much the first name on Arsenal’s team sheet these days, after all.
Both Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes justified Pep Guardiola’s praise as they again performed impeccably during Sunday’s 2-2 draw with champions Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta’s Brazilian powerhouse put The Gunners in front with a trademark header at the end of the first-half, showing why Arsenal are desperate to tie Gabriel down to a new contract.
“Give credit to them. Incredible, they are so strong, they block a lot of plays. Gabriel is so strong in that position. Give credit to them.
“With a game of 10 against 11, it’s different. Of course, they defend so, so deep. You can cross, yeah, but with Calafiori, Saliba, Gabriel, White, Partey, it’s not easy.
“But give credit to Arsenal. They defend, block, defend crosses, they defend altogether.”
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