Expert: Arsenal set sights on 'fantastic' Nottingham Forest star
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(Credit: Imago, Getty Images)
Callum O'Connell
Tue 9 September 2025 17:30, UK
Arsenal are among a number of clubs keeping an eye on “fantastic” Nottingham Forest star Murillo as they eye further improvements to their squad depth.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 23-year-old has emerged as a name on Mikel Arteta‘s shortlist.
Brown told Football Insider in April that Nottingham Forest were “doing everything” to keep Murillo, with the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool interested in a deal.
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest placed a “huge” asking price on Murillo in the summer as they were reluctant to lose key players following Anthony Elanga’s move to Newcastle.
However, the Gunners are now believed to be tracking the Brazil defender’s situation as they have been long-term admirers of his abilities.
Credit: Imago
Brown first told Football Insider in September 2024 that Arsenal are looking to improve their depth amid injury concerns surrounding Martin Odegaard and William Saliba.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has now insisted that further cover at centre-back is needed after the window closed.
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“Arsenal are one of the clubs having a look at Murillo,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s been a major, major part of Forest’s success and he had a fantastic season last year, so I can’t image they’ll be willing to let him leave.
“Arteta wants to have a squad of players where, if somebody gets injured, there’s another option waiting to step straight into their place without it impacting the team.
“They want to challenge for the Premier League title and compete in Europe, and for that you need a strong squad, so they’re constantly on the look-out for quality players.
Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media
“It’s become a priority for them because when they got injuries to key players last season, it completely derailed them and they really felt the effects.
“At the moment, if Saliba or Gabriel get injured for any period of time, they’re going to notice it.
“They’ve got White who can play there, and so can players like Timber or Calafiori, but none of them are out-and-out centre-backs.
“Murillo would be one of those, and if somebody like a Gabriel or a Saliba did get injured, he would be able to step in without having a negative impact on the team.”
Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have been the first-choice duo at the Emirates for a number of years now, but injuries last season put a dent in their title ambitions.
Now, just three games into the Premier League season, the French defender has been ruled out until the middle of October with an ankle injury.
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Arsenal’s signing of Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen has eased the Gunners’ concerns, but he is expected to play on the left as well as at centre-back.
Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media
As a result, Arteta is set to prioritise adding to his defensive depth once more in January and in 2026, with Murillo emerging as a key target for them.
While Ben White, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori are also capable of playing in the middle, there is a feeling the boss wants an out-and-out defender who could eventually replace either Saliba or Gabriel should they leave the club.
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