Liverpool get green light to sign £70m defender as Arne Slot dealt first transfer blow

Nottingham Forest defender Murillo has not ruled out signing for Liverpool and admitted a move to Anfield would be a "good opportunity" for him in his career.

Arne Slot is yet to make a signing since replacing Jurgen Klopp last month, but the Reds are expected to be busy between now and the end of the summer transfer window. A new centre-back is on the agenda after Joel Matip departed the club upon the expiry of his contract in June.

Murillo is someone that has been linked with a move to Liverpool after impressing in his debut campaign at Forest following his £12.7m move from Corinthians last August. He made 36 appearances for the East Midlands side as they retained their Premier League status, winning the club's Player of the Season award in the process.

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But less than a year after making the switch to The City Ground, Murillo has already been touted with a switch away, with Liverpool among his potential suitors. And now, the Brazilian has opened up on his future. In a candid interview with the Benja Me Mucho podcast, Murillo admitted it was always his plan to seek a move away from Forest and revealed he would be open to a move to Liverpool.

"I had the dream of playing in the Premier League and I had that thought," he revealed. "I thought: 'I’ll go to Nottingham Forest, have a good year and then I'll go to a big club'. I had that in my head.

"I’d choose Manchester City but it would be more difficult for me to be a regular starter given the players they have in their squad. There’s City, Arsenal as well, who are fighting for the Premier League title. I wouldn’t discard Liverpool either. It would be a good opportunity for me to show my football in a big club."

Elsewhere, Fabrizio Romano has reported that Liverpool target Mats Wieffer has signed a deal with Brighton over a £25m move to the Seagulls. He claimed personal terms have now been agreed with talks entering their final stages, with Wieffer set to sign a long-term contract on the south coast.

Wieffer, 24, worked with new Reds head coach Arne Slot last season and impressed, scoring six goals and adding four assists in 42 appearances across all competitions. He was part of the Feyenoord side that lifted the KNVB Cup and is someone that is catching the eye of a number of clubs across Europe.