Real Madrid’s £80m Bid for Nottingham Forest Defender Murillo

Real will have to pay £80m for Murillo

Real Madrid is currently contemplating a significant move for Nottingham Forest’s promising defender, Murillo, as the January transfer window approaches. This potential signing comes at a hefty price tag of £80 million, reflecting his rising status in the footballing world.

According to a revealing report by the Mail, Nottingham Forest—currently one of the standout teams in the Premier League—are poised to stand firm against any advances from Carlo Ancelotti’s side, showing their intent to retain the young talent.

Murillo’s impact on Forest has been profound, playing a pivotal role in propelling Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad to an impressive fifth place in the league standings after 11 matches, demonstrating his crucial contributions at the back.

“Nottingham Forest are under no pressure to sell star centre back Murillo in January amid interest from Real Madrid,” writes the outlet.

“Real Madrid are short in central defence after Eder Militao sustained a serious knee injury that will leave him on the sidelines for a long period.” This predicament has intensified Los Blancos’ need for a commanding presence in the heart of their defence.

“Yet while there is an acceptance at Forest that Champions League clubs will move for Murillo, there is no financial imperative to sell him before the end of the campaign.” The club’s strong league position and aspirations for European qualification are adding to their reluctance to part with such a key player.

“With Forest fifth in the table heading into the November international break, there is cautious optimism that they can push for European qualification this term, and boss Nuno Espirito Santo is desperate to keep his squad together for the entire campaign.” Retaining Murillo will be essential for maintaining this upward trajectory.

“Besides, Madrid’s mooted £40m valuation of Murillo does not come close to how highly Forest rate him. Any club showing a serious interest in the 22-year-old would likely have to double that offer to have any chance of success.” The disparity in valuation underscores Forest’s determination to keep their star defender amid growing interest.

White to make himself available for England selection from March

Ben White is reportedly poised to make his long-awaited international return with England, according to insights from the Express, which cites talkSPORT. After a notable absence since withdrawing from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Arsenal defender is now ready to rejoin the national setup.

With Thomas Tuchel set to take over managerial duties at Arsenal in January, it appears that the 27-year-old is ready to come back into the fold under new leadership.

“Ben White could be about to end a three-year absence from the England fold in the wake of Thomas Tuchel’s appointment,” writes the Express.

“The Arsenal defender is reportedly ready to make his comeback now that Gareth Southgate and his backroom staff have made way.” Lee Carsley will remain at the helm on a temporary basis until the end of the year, before Tuchel officially takes over on January 1.

“According to talkSPORT, White is prepared to make himself available for selection in March 2025.” By this time, Tuchel will have had a couple of months to establish his tactics and connection with the squad, making White’s return a valuable asset for the German coach’s plans.

Alexander-Arnold will stay at Liverpool until season’s end

According to The Metro, Trent Alexander-Arnold has decided to remain with Liverpool for the duration of the current season. Despite ongoing speculation linking the 26-year-old defender with a potential move to Real Madrid in January, he is committed to seeing out the campaign at Anfield.

“Trent Alexander-Arnold is planning to see out the season at Liverpool with Real Madrid viewing a January transfer as ‘practically impossible’, according to reports in Spain,” reads the article.

“The 26-year-old’s contract with Liverpool is due to expire at the end of the season, meaning that he will be able to leave Anfield as a free agent.” His decision to stay until May aligns with his aspirations to contribute to Liverpool’s performance this season.

“Real Madrid have made Alexander-Arnold one of their priority transfer targets, and following the injury to Dani Carvajal, who is set to miss the rest of the season, the Spanish champions are looking to sign cover at right-back in the January transfer window.” While Madrid remains keen on securing his services, their chances appear slim with the player’s commitment to Liverpool.

“Relevo reports that Madrid are not ruling out an attempt to sign Alexander-Arnold in January; however, the club are not confident in their chances of luring the England international away from Anfield before the season has finished.” As the summer approaches, interest in Alexander-Arnold is expected to intensify.

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How might the recent decisions of‍ players like Ben⁢ White and Trent Alexander-Arnold affect their clubs’ strategies in the upcoming transfer‍ window?

**Interview: Insights on Recent⁤ Football Transfer Buzz**

**Editor:** ‌Today, we have a special Alex Reed, football analyst and journalist,‍ Emma Thompson, to discuss the recent news regarding transfer speculation involving ‍key players like Murillo, Ben White, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Emma, thank you for joining us.

**Emma ⁢Thompson:** Thank you ‌for having me!

**Editor:** Let’s start with the news about Real Madrid’s interest in Nottingham Forest’s ⁣Murillo. They’re⁢ reportedly⁢ willing to ‌pay ⁢£80 million for him. What makes Murillo‌ such a ⁣valuable target right now?

**Emma⁣ Thompson:**⁤ Murillo has been exceptional for Nottingham Forest this season, playing a vital role in their strong defensive setup. His contributions have helped ⁤the team climb to fifth in the Premier League, showcasing his talent at just 22 years⁤ old. That kind ⁣of performance, especially in a competitive league, makes him highly coveted,‍ especially by⁢ clubs like Real Madrid.

**Editor:** Nottingham Forest seems determined to keep him despite the interest. How do you see their position impacting potential⁢ negotiations?

**Emma Thompson:** Forest is in a strong position, both financially and in the league. Given their ⁤aspirations for European qualification, they have no immediate⁤ pressure to sell, which could ‍push Real Madrid to reconsider their offer. If they⁤ want Murillo, they may need to match or exceed that £80 million valuation, which reflects Forest’s commitment to holding onto their star defender.

**Editor:** Moving on to⁣ Ben White, there’s talk about him returning ⁤to the England⁣ squad after a lengthy absence. What do you think has contributed to his decision to make himself available again?

**Emma Thompson:** Ben White’s​ absence has been quite significant, especially after ⁣the World Cup. With Thomas Tuchel’s appointment at‌ Arsenal, it’s likely that White feels a renewed sense of ​belief in his role within the squad. He wants to seize ⁣the ‍opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities⁤ under new management, which could ⁣be pivotal for both his club and national team selection.

**Editor:** ‌And what’s your take on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s situation? He’s reportedly decided to stay at Liverpool despite interest ⁢from Real Madrid.

**Emma Thompson:** ⁢Alexander-Arnold’s commitment⁤ to Liverpool is emblematic of a player who values stability and loyalty to the club. Given that his contract is due‌ to expire at ‍the ‍season’s end,​ it’s possible he’s focusing on helping Liverpool achieve their goals this season, rather than jumping into a new venture.⁢ Madrid may view a January move as ‘practically impossible,’ indicating that ⁣both‍ the player and club are⁤ looking to state their intentions clearly.

**Editor:** Interesting⁢ perspectives on both players. ⁣As ⁢the January transfer window approaches, what do⁤ you think fans should keep ⁢an eye on?

**Emma Thompson:** I think fans should watch ⁢how clubs manage their strong ⁢positions. Forest’s determination to retain⁤ Murillo and Alexander-Arnold’s decision to remain at Liverpool both ​highlight ⁢a trend where players are being encouraged to prioritize their current clubs’ ambitions. It’ll be⁤ fascinating to see if Real⁢ Madrid can find other options ⁢or if they⁤ will make a substantial move for Murillo.

**Editor:** Thank⁤ you, Emma, ⁤for sharing your ⁤insights on these developments. It ⁤will be exciting ⁢to follow how​ these situations unfold as we approach January!

**Emma Thompson:** My pleasure! Thanks for having me!