Barcelona Scouting Chelsea and Juventus-liked Defender

Barcelona Eyes Nottingham Forest Defender Murillo for Centre-Back Position

Barcelona, known for their strong defensive lineup, is keeping a close watch on potential recruits to strengthen their center-back position. With aging players like Inigo Martinez and uncertainties around Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen, the club may be in the market for a new center-back sooner than expected.

Nottingham Forest’s Murillo Attracts Barcelona’s Attention

One player on Barcelona’s radar is Nottingham Forest defender Murillo. The Brazilian has impressed in the Premier League, catching the eye of the Blaugrana. According to reports from Sport, Murillo possesses all the qualities Barcelona seeks in their defenders – strength, courage, speed, technical ability, and being left-footed, all of which work in his favor.

Competition for Murillo’s Signature

Barcelona faces competition for Murillo’s signature, as Juventus and Chelsea were reportedly interested in him last summer. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has not ruled out a potential major sale in the future. Murillo recently extended his contract with Nottingham Forest until 2029, indicating that he won’t come cheap. Despite being on Barcelona’s shortlist last summer, they opted for a more experienced and cost-effective option in Jonathan Tah.

Hansi Flick’s starting XIs typically include 5 to 6 La Masia players per game. @gbsans

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) January 24, 2025

Barcelona’s Defensive Strategy

Barcelona is strategizing their defensive lineup, with Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez likely to stay long-term. The club aims to avoid players entering the final year of their contracts, leading to speculation around Garcia and Christensen’s futures. While Ronald Araujo recently renewed his contract, reports suggest a reduced release clause if he decides to leave in the upcoming summer transfer window.