Real Madrid line up '€12m Van Dijk' as Arsenal’s Saliba message works

Robin Bairner

• 25 Sept 2024 07:28 BST
• 3 min read

Real Madrid’s search for a centre-back next summer is set to see them compete with Chelsea and Liverpool to land Nottingham Forest star Murillo.

Los Blancos are searching for another player to feature in the heart of their defence, with Antonio Rugier and David Alaba now well into their 30s.

Indeed, Carlo Ancelotti’s side only have three natural centre-backs in their ranks following the summer departure of Nacho Fernandez, with Eder Militao joining the aforementioned pair at the Bernabeu club this season.

Murillo has emerged as an option next summer, according to HITC.

Current ETV

Murillo

D (C)

Nottingham

Murillo

D (C)

Nottingham

€20.2M

ETV Range

€15.1M - €25.2M

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The Nottingham Forest defender has previously been compared to Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk due to his calmness under pressure, strong tackling and ball-playing qualities. He is also comfortable dribbling out of defence like the Dutchman and his ease on the ball has earned him the nickname ‘Beckenbauer’.

Forest are set to turn a huge profit on the 22-year-old, who they signed from Corinthians in 2023 for just €12 million.

His Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) has since risen to €20.2m but with left-sided centre-backs at a premium and the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Real Madrid chasing his signature, any deal would likely be conducted at a significantly higher price.

Arsenal’s Saliba message gets across

All this is excellent news for Arsenal, whose message on William Saliba seems to have been heard loud and clear at the Bernabeu. The 23-year-old Frenchman remains Real Madrid’s dream target for the position.

FootballTransfers has exclusively revealed that the Gunners have told Ancelotti’s men that Saliba is not for sale at any price.

Current ETV

William Saliba

D (C)

Arsenal

William Saliba

D (C)

Arsenal

€73.3M

ETV Range

€55M - €91.7M

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Saliba’s ETV stands at €73.3m, while he is regarded by FootballTransfers’ algorithm as the best defender anywhere in the world currently and the most valuable defender.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, are also said to be tracking Cristian Romero of Tottenham and Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite.