Liverpool will look to sign a centre-back irrespective of whether Virgil van Dijk stays or goes

Liverpool intend to sign a centre-back irrespective of whether Virgil van Dijk leaves in 2025, and a report claims Nottingham Forest ace Murillo is fast emerging as a key transfer target.

Like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah, Van Dijk is out of contract at season’s end. Liverpool’s intention is to tie all three of those superstars down to fresh terms, though the trio will be free to sign pre-contract agreements with overseas clubs come January 1 if new deals aren’t sealed in the next seven weeks.

Liverpool possess four strong options at centre-half in Van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah.

But according to Caught Offside, the Reds aim to add another high quality option to the mix regardless of what the future holds for Van Dijk.

Murillo of Nottingham Forest has emerged as a player of interest to Liverpool, per the report.

The Brazilian, 22, is a wanted man at Anfield and as a left-footer, he would be viewed as the long-term successor to Van Dijk on the left side of the centre-back pairing.

Another player Liverpool are casting their eye over is Sporting CP star, Goncalo Inacio. Murillo with his Premier League experience could be seen as a safer bet, though he won’t come cheap…