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Is Nottingham Forest's Murillo the Future Real Madrid or Barcelona Star? Could he become the world's first £100m defender?

The footballing world is abuzz with the potential of Nottingham Forest's Murillo becoming a record-breaking £100m defender. With his skillset and talent, could he be the next star for Real Madrid or Barcelona? Former players and experts weigh in on his potential.

Is Nottingham Forest's Murillo the Future Real Madrid or Barcelona Star? Could he become the world's first £100m defender?

Transfer fees have been creeping up for some time, with Neymar blowing the doors off that particular market when joining Paris Saint-Germain for €222m (£195m/$261m) in 2017. It appears to be only a matter of time before a defender moves for nine figures, with Marlon Harewood telling GOAL of why Nottingham Forest star Murillo could be the man to make history.Murillo, who moved to the City Ground in 2023, epitomises what it means to be a Brazilian footballer. He may operate at the back, but he is far from being your stereotypical ‘head it and kick it’ centre-half.The 23-year-old is built like a wall, but can cover the ground at pace. He boasts a wand of a left foot, which allows him to spread play all over the field. He is - as is often the case with enigmatic talents from South America - also comfortable travelling with the ball at his feet.Having arrived in England with limited senior experience to his name, he is now closing in on 80 Premier League appearances and has graced continental competition this season in the Europa League.Murillo has also been capped by Brazil and will have his sights set on earning a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s plans for the 2026 World Cup. Looking beyond that tournament, it remains to be seen where the Samba star will be plying his club trade on a long-term basis.Ex-Forest frontman Harewood - speaking via casino.org, who can help you find the best payout online casino - told GOAL when asked if Murillo is destined to end up on the books of Barcelona or Real Madrid: "Yeah, maybe. It’s all talked about. It’s good we are having this conversation about Forest. It’s been a long time coming. It’s a conversation you always like to have about players that are at the City Ground. It means they are going in the right direction and bringing in players that can help Forest and generate money for the club if they get to that stage where they are going to be leaving. It happens in football. It means they are doing really well at the club - at Forest at the moment, he is doing well."It’s good for the club and not good for the club at the same time. You want to keep the top players at the club, but that just doesn’t happen. Hopefully they can replace the players that go. They have done. He has been a breath of fresh air, even though he is quite crazy in his decisions and what he does, but he knows what he wants to do. It’s been working. You have to back him and see where it goes. But it’s good to have those players at Nottingham Forest."Pressed further on whether Murillo could one day become the most expensive centre-half on the planet, Harewood added: "We have seen defenders go for big money but I wouldn’t say he is an [Elliot] Anderson price tag as a centre-half, but you can’t really say that nowadays! Centre-halves, midfielders, it’s big money. He is a top-class player, it’s just hard to put a price tag on him like that. But when you do put a price tag on like that, that means the club and the owner don’t want him to go."Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Another ex-Forest striker, Stan Collymore, has previously told GOAL when asked if Murillo will be the first £100m ($134m) defender: "He could be. There are clubs watching him. From a personal perspective I would love to see him stay at Forest for the next three, four, five years. He’s signed his new contract. He may well go on to become the first £100m defender, which for Forest would be an incredible deal if it came. My hope is that he stays for another two or three years."Forest legend and former Reds captain Stuart Pearce - who knows a thing or two about being a left-footed defender at the City Ground - has also told GOAL of Murillo: "I really like him. He’s one of these that churns the games out, plays all the games, reads the game really well. He’s not your stamp of a central defender. He’s got a physique that makes him look like SpongeBob, but I think he’s a real talent. Comfortable on the ball, can find a pass. He does the unusual at times as well but when you consider his age, he is a real talent."He’s one that Forest, with the addition of [Nikola] Milenkovic to partner him and the way they play, they fit the counter-attack method. Murillo probably could go and play at another club that play more expansive, and he’ll deal with that. I think it suits Milenkovic to play at Forest, because they cover him a little bit, he’s got to defend the 18-yard box, and that suits him brilliantly. Murillo is a wonderful talent and really important they keep hold of him."Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingForest have Murillo tied to a contract until 2029, which is helping to keep his valuation high, but it is yet to be determined whether said deal will be honoured as leading sides in the Premier League and across Europe are credited with interest in a unique talent.

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Nottingham Forest Unveiling a 'Crazy' Talent in Murillo

In the world of ever-increasing transfer fees, Nottingham Forest's Murillo stands out as a unique prospect. Hailing from Brazil, the 23-year-old defender has quickly made a name for himself in the Premier League with his exceptional abilities on and off the ball. Possessing a blend of physical prowess, technical skill, and tactical awareness, Murillo is a modern defender who can dictate play from the back.

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Expert Opinions on Murillo's Potential Move to the Elite Clubs

Former Nottingham Forest players like Marlon Harewood and Stan Collymore have expressed their thoughts on Murillo's future, with discussions revolving around a potential move to the likes of Real Madrid or Barcelona. While the prospect of Murillo commanding a £100m fee is on the horizon, the sentiment of keeping him at Forest for the foreseeable future is echoed by many who appreciate his impact on the team.

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Stuart Pearce's Endorsement of Murillo's Talent

Forest legend Stuart Pearce has lauded Murillo for his game intelligence, physical attributes, and technical abilities. Drawing parallels between Murillo and his own playing style, Pearce highlights the importance of the defender's role in the team and the need to nurture such talents for the club's success. With Murillo's contract running until 2029, Forest is in a strong position to leverage his market value in potential transfer negotiations.

Published on Dec 19, 2025