Liverpool want €125m duo as transfer pursuit confirmed

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Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Liverpool have reportedly identified Nottingham Forest's Murillo and Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck as two key transfer targets for 2027 as they look to bolster their defensive roster.

Andoni Iraola’s side are expected to sign a new centre-back next summer amid the uncertain future of club captain Virgil van Dijk, who is currently set to become a free agent following the conclusion of the 2026-27 season.

Rumours indicate that Liverpool are likely to offer the Netherlands star a new deal, however an agreement has not yet been reached and they are now planning for life after the 35-year-old.

The Reds have been linked with a host of central defenders in recent weeks, and they have now identified Murillo and Schlotterbeck as two key targets, as per a report from The Daily Briefing.

It’s understood that Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan) and Jules Kounde (Barcelona) are also on Liverpool’s radar, although the club are currently prioritising a move for either Murillo or Schlotterbeck in 2027.

Both players have signed contract extensions at their current clubs this year, however Liverpool still remain interested in the duo, who have a combined Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €123.9 million.

The Reds reportedly want a defender who can “build attacks from deep, defend large spaces and operate comfortably in a possession-heavy system,” and Murillo and Schlotterbeck are viewed as two of the standout candidates in Europe to succeed Van Dijk as the club’s favoured left-sided central defender.

Jarell Quansah to return?

Despite interest in Murillo and Schlotterbeck, ex-Liverpool striker John Aldridge believes his former club should instead re-sign Jarell Quansah from Bayer Leverkusen as their replacement for Van Dijk.

“You know what I’d do? I’d be looking to bring back Jarell Quansah,” Aldridge told The Liverpool Echo. “There’s a £56m (€65m) buyback option on him and, for me, it’s a no-brainer. Next season, if Virgil goes, you’re looking at it and we could have [Ronald] Araujo, [Jeremy] Jacquet, [Giovanni] Leoni and Quansah. That’s four great options.

“Arne Slot didn’t fancy Quansah after that first game of the [2024/25] season against Ipswich. It showed as he didn’t really play him, didn’t really fancy him, but he’s proved Arne wrong.

“He’s gone to Leverkusen and is doing really well. He’s playing well for England. For me, you need four really good centre-halves.

“It’s a no-brainer to get Quansah back next year. Absolutely, 100%. 100%, man. As long as he wants to come. He’s a Warrington lad. I hope he’s a Liverpudlian, and if that’s the case, there’s no reason not to go and get him.

“Liverpool has the buyback. If they want him, they have to go and get him. And then next year, centre-halves-wise, we’d be really solid.”