The solution to problems taking hold across a host of European heavyweights goes by just one name, but if transfer gossip columns are anything to go by, Murillo is many things.
The successor to Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool. A replacement for the injury-plagued Eder Militao at Real Madrid. The next Thiago Silva for Chelsea. The rock Barcelona need. The colossus capable of rebuilding the Manchester City fortress.
A bidding war is coming, that much feels certain, and it does not feel far-fetched to suggest Nottingham Forest could end up commanding a world-record fee for a defender, more than Manchester United and Manchester City paid for Harry Maguire and Josko Gvardiol respectively.
There appears to be some discrepancy over whether Maguire or Gvardiol is the most expensive defender of all time, but at this rate, Murillo may go for more than the £75-80m the aforementioned duo cost.
For anyone wondering why, you need only have watched Forest play in the past 16 months.
Forest’s player of the season last term, the club’s prospects became undeniably brighter after they kept hold of Murillo in the summer.
It had appeared Forest, who were deducted four points last season, would have to sell Murillo for Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) reasons, but Odysseas Vlachodimos joining Newcastle on 30 June helped in that regard.
Orel Mangala and Moussa Niakhate moving to Lyon for a combined £42m in early July has alleviated the pressure to sell even further, and as a result, Murillo and Forest are flourishing together, the 22-year-old player continuing to mature as this club defy pre-season expectations, sitting fifth in the Premier League on 19 points after 11 games.
This start puts Forest just 13 points shy of their 2023-24 total with 27 games to go, and at the heart of this improvement has been a tightened defence second only to Liverpool (six) for goals conceded (10).
At the heart of this is Murillo himself, the Brazilian who is joint-second in the Premier League for clearances (64) – one off Marc Guehi – and joint-seventh for blocks (13). He also leads the way at Forest for passes, while only Ola Aina has had more touches.
This all-action input is the continuation of a defender whose goal-line clearances and last-ditch tackles were merely some of his highlights last season, when he joined from Corinthians for what is looking an astute £13.7m.
Murillo nets his FIRST goal for Nottingham Forest! 🔥👊 pic.twitter.com/MzwWMxBYoL
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 10, 2024
He quickly lit up the City Ground with his quick feet, dribbling skills and impressive range of passing, becoming a fan favourite and making early comparisons to Van Dijk valid – with the addition of a Brazilian flair forged by playing futsal as a child before switching to 11-a-side football aged 10.
The samba Van Dijk, who grew up in Sao Paulo, was within inches of scoring two 70-yarders last season, while his mazy run at Crystal Palace would have been a goal-of-the-season contender had he not rifled his effort too close to Sam Johnstone.
This comfort on the ball and willingness to carry it forward left Forest fans expecting a golazo for his first club goal, and though that was eventually a header from six yards out in the recent 3-1 defeat to Newcastle, this merely served as a reminder of the defender’s stature.
Six foot exactly may not scream the tallest, but Murillo boasts an imposing frame that Forest boss Nuno calls “well built”, adding another feather to his bow which this month resulted in his first Brazil call-up.
“It’s surreal, not many players get to where I am,” Murillo told Forest TV this week.
“I’m really happy with what’s happening. I hope it’s the first of many, it’s a moment to savour.
“We know that not just anyone gets to put on the Brazil shirt. Today being able to put on that shirt on is a dream come true. There are many dreams ahead of course, but I’ve taken the first step. God-willing I’ll get to wear the Brazil shirt on more occasions.”
Murillo remained on the bench against Venezuela on Thursday, but he has another chance to make his debut against Uruguay on Tuesday.
With Uruguay sterner opposition, he may be made to wait, but on this trajectory it feels like an inevitability that he will force his way into Brazil’s plans heading towards the 2026 World Cup.
A step-up at club level feels inevitable too, but Forest are under no immediate pressure to sell a player who signed a five-year contract last year.
This is a marriage of convenience, therefore, with the club – looking to re-establish themselves as more than just a top-tier mainstay – providing Murillo with an ideal platform, one that is necessary for defenders looking to climb the ladder.
As with goalkeepers, the reward for defenders at bigger clubs is having less to do while crucially possessing the quality and composure to deal with pressure when it arises.
Getting to that stage needs to be earned, and Murillo is on his way there, marking a rapid rise that is nothing short of remarkable given he hadn’t even made his first-team debut at Corinthians 18 months ago.
Where he goes next exactly remains unclear, given you could spin the wheel on major European clubs and find that nearly all have been linked with the centre-back, but what could prove one of next summer’s fiercest contests will be to Forest’s financial gain.
And first, he will look to spearhead’s Forest bid to make this their best season for a generation. Anywhere 15th or higher would be their best finish since 1995-96, when they came ninth, and given the start that they have made, and with Murillo in tow, it is a target well within their sights.
