Bayern eye Nottingham Forest’s Murillo as priority centre-back target

Bayern Munich have added Nottingham Forest’s Brazilian centre-back Murillo (23) to their shortlist as the club intensifies plans to reinforce the back line. The left-footed ball-winner, thriving in the Premier League, is viewed as a seamless fit for Vincent Kompany’s proactive, high-line system thanks to his press resistance, vertical passing and aggressive duels. While Murillo is reportedly under contract until 2029 with no release clause—implying a premium fee—there is growing confidence Bayern can navigate the market smartly to land a long-term defensive pillar. Expect Munich to monitor closely, then move decisively when conditions align.

The development emerges from reputable reporting in Germany and corroborating briefings in European football media, indicating Bayern have formally placed Murillo on a refined centre-back shortlist for upcoming windows. Nottingham Forest value the Brazilian highly and have him secured on a long-term deal reportedly running to 2029 without a release clause. The timing aligns with Bayern’s medium-term squad planning under Vincent Kompany, who prioritizes athletic, press-resistant defenders comfortable building under pressure. This context places Murillo among the club’s leading data- and scouting-driven options as the season progresses.

Bayern have added Nottingham's Murillo (23) to their centre-back shortlist. The Brazilian is an interesting name for Bayern, the club is keeping an eye on his situation - but with a contract until 2029 without a release clause, he would be expensive [@altobelli13, @cfbayern]

@iMiaSanMia

Impact Analysis

From a tactical standpoint, Murillo checks critical boxes for Bayern’s evolving defensive model under Vincent Kompany. Operating in a high line demands center-backs who can both defend vast spaces and progress play cleanly under pressure. Murillo’s profile—left-footed, composed in tight zones, and proactive in stepping into midfield—mirrors precisely that brief. His Premier League exposure has honed his timing in transition and resilience against direct, high-tempo attacks, while his passing range (particularly driven diagonals and split-line passes) would diversify Bayern’s build-up, complementing right-footers in the squad.

Physically, he offers balance: strong in duels, quick over the first five meters, and sturdy enough to contest aerial deliveries despite not being a towering presence. Importantly, his orientation to defend forward helps compress the pitch—vital when Bayern’s full-backs invert or advance. In sequences where Bayern face aggressive presses, Murillo’s press resistance would reduce turnovers in zone 1 and accelerate clean exits to the eights and wingers.

From a squad-construction lens, he adds succession planning and structural versatility. With options like Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-jae, and Hiroki Ito available, a left-footed distributor with Premier League-grade defensive mileage would stabilize rotations across domestic and European fronts. The financial premium attached to a 2029 contract reflects scarcity: young, left-footed center-backs with top-5 league production are rare. Yet Bayern’s willingness to explore this market signals clarity in the sporting project—committing to a modern, ball-dominant identity anchored by elite first-phase defenders.

Reaction

Fan reactions are lively and split across familiar lines. A segment of Bayern supporters welcomes the “South American flair” returning to Säbener Straße, framing Murillo as the progressive, press-resistant defender the squad needs to unlock Kompany’s high-line ambitions. They point to his composure in the Premier League and strong duel data as proof he’s ready for Bavaria’s Champions League standards.

Others argue for Bundesliga-proven alternatives, invoking names like Malick Thiaw or Yann Bisseck as safer fits given adaptation risk and cost. Height concerns surface—one user even questions whether Murillo is “5’10”—though counterpoints note he plays closer to the 1.84m range and wins his share of aerials via timing and leaping mechanics. There’s also a lobby pushing for an all-in move on Nico Schlotterbeck, citing left-footed distribution plus domestic familiarity.

Amid the debate, some skepticism emerges about fee inflation due to the long contract and lack of a release clause, with a few fans pleading for this not to be true if it compromises other priorities. Meanwhile, community chatter drifts to tangents—quotes from Dayot Upamecano, admiration for unrelated player posts—typical of broad social threads. Overall, the center of gravity is clear: enthusiasm for Murillo’s profile, tempered by pragmatic concerns about price, adaptation, and opportunity cost relative to Bundesliga options.

Social reactions

Es gibt auch in der Bundesliga gute Verteidiger und wenn man schon im Ausland guckt wie wäre es mit Thiaw oder Bisseck?

LuckyCrisqo7 (@LCrisqo7)

I rather go for LaCroix or Chris Richard

Abk (@Abk_Abdallah1)

too many Centerbacks im worried about the Upa extension

Thomas (@KotzenderKeks)

Prediction

Expect Bayern to escalate their due diligence in the near term—comprehensive live scouting, deeper analytics, and character references from the Premier League network—before testing Nottingham Forest’s stance with an initial, non-binding approach. Given the reported contract to 2029 and absence of a release clause, Forest will price Murillo as a core asset. A realistic starting bracket could sit in the upper market tier for young, top-5 league center-backs, with add-ons tied to European appearances and team success.

Timing favors a structured pursuit: Bayern are likely to keep contact lines warm through the current campaign while aligning budget, outgoings, and squad role clarity. If Forest evaluate sales for strategic PSR balance at the right moment, Bayern could push ahead quickly. Otherwise, the play becomes a summer-window negotiation where competition may intensify.

On the pitch, Murillo’s fit is too clean to ignore. Pairings with Kim Min-jae or rotations with Upamecano and Hiroki Ito unlock tactical asymmetries—left-footed exits on one side, aggressive step-outs on the other. Expect Munich to move with conviction if internal metrics confirm his profile as a long-term anchor. In parallel, Bayern will keep contingency options—Bundesliga-proven names—in the queue to protect deal leverage. Net-net: Bayern are well positioned, and momentum favors a serious bid once market conditions open.

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Conclusion

All signs point to a targeted, data-driven Bayern move for Murillo: an age-curve match, a tactical fit for Kompany’s system, and a player whose temperament under pressure aligns with Champions League ambitions. While the financial calculus is non-trivial due to the reported 2029 contract horizon, elite clubs pay premiums for scarcity, and left-footed, press-resistant center-backs with Premier League exposure are exactly that.

Bayern’s recruitment has clearly pivoted toward players who compress risk in first phase and accelerate progression—Murillo does both, while adding aggression in rest-defense. If Nottingham Forest remain firm, the negotiation becomes a test of Bayern’s valuation discipline and add-on creativity. Yet, the strategic logic is compelling: secure a cornerstone now to stabilize the back line for multiple cycles.

Fans can reasonably expect Bayern to keep the temperature high on this file. With internal alignment and a persuasive sporting project, Munich will fancy their chances. The pathway is straightforward: maintain pressure, time the approach, and close when the window allows. The feeling around Säbener Straße is confident—Murillo to Bayern is more than noise; it’s a move that makes football sense.