Nottingham Forest to complete Nuno Tavares, Murillo double swoop?
So far this season, Forest has struggled to deal with injuries, suspension, and a lack of defensive depth.
Despite only one win in their first four games of the season, manager Steve Cooper appears to be getting his desire for further reinforcements to the squad.
According to Fabrizio Romano, both Tavares and Murillo have signed contracts that will see them join the club on Wednesday, with only the club’s approval required.
The additions of Murillo and Tavares will bring much needed reinforcements in defence for Cooper.
Forest have been chasing a left-back all summer, and finally look to have found their man with Tavares set to join on loan from Arsenal.
A loan fee of £2 million has been agreed, and the transaction includes an obligation to buy next summer for £12 million, but this is neither necessary or contingent on any appearance goals.
Tavares was loaned out to Marseille last season after making 28 appearances in his debut season with the Gunners in 2021-22.
Marseille, however, passed up the opportunity to sign the Portuguese defender, instead opting to sign Renan Lodi, who spent last season on loan with Forest.
This summer, Forest have been linked with a number of left-sided defenders and wing-backs, including Lodi, Monaco’s Ismail Jakobs, and Juventus’ Filip Kostic.
Naturally right-sided pair Neco Williams and Ola Aina have had to fill in at left wing-back for Forest so far this season, so getting a left-sided player has been on the agenda for some time.
Murillo, while only young and relatively inexperienced, will bring in more muscle at the back for Forest.
Alessandro, the president of Corinthians, has already revealed that a proposal has been made and that talks between the two clubs over a deal for Murillo have begun.
An initial sum of £11.2m is understood to have been agreed, with Forest also agreeing to add a sell-on provision in Murillo’s contract.
The central defender only joined Corinthians this season, but he has been taken out of the starting lineup in their previous two games due to Forest’s interest.
The 21-year-old helped the team reach the Copa Sudamericana quarter-finals, but sat out the second leg loss to Estudiantes on Tuesday night.
Due to Joe Worrall’s ban following his red card at Old Trafford, and Scott McKenna’s recent injury, Serge Aurier was utilised as a centre-back in the EFL Cup defeat to Burnley, while Willy Boly made his season debut.
Cooper employs a three-at-the-back system, so numbers are now limited, and Felipe is only just returning to full fitness, so any additions to the team will be welcomed by the manager.
