Report: Liverpool could break transfer record to sign Van Dijk replacement who only cost £15m in 2023
Today at 11:45 AM
There’ll come a time when Liverpool have to move on from some of their key players from the last few years and Virgil van Dijk is going to take some replacing at the club.
Van Dijk has become a club legend at Anfield and is now the captain of the club as he looks to lead the Reds to a second Premier League title.
However, there are suggestions Van Dijk could be on his way as early as 2025 with no new contract sorted out as yet for the Dutchman.
Of course, there are reports that Van Dijk will end up staying at Liverpool, while the futures of Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold remain more uncertain.
Nevertheless, Liverpool know they’ll need to replace Van Dijk eventually and according to reports, that replacement could set them back a club record fee.
Liverpool could have to pay £80m to sign Van Dijk replacement
The player in question for Liverpool is current Nottingham Forest defender, Murillo.
Murillo is thought to be on Liverpool’s radar to replace Van Dijk after impressing at the City Ground since making a £15m move to the club in 2023.
However, while Liverpool very much admire the Brazilian defender, he will come at a cost.
The Daily Mail has reported this week that Forest value Murillo around the £80m mark.
That figure comes from suggestions that Real Madrid like Murillo as well and have earmarked a £40m deal as a possibility. But according to the report, any buyer will need to pay double that.
Of course, spending £80m on Murillo would give Liverpool a new record buy.
Murillo would top Liverpool’s most expensive signings
In the modern game, there should be no surprise at any fee really and given Murillo’s impact on Forest, this huge asking price is expected.
For Liverpool, the big question will be if they see Murillo as value for money.
| Player | Cost/year signed |
| Darwin Nunez | £85m/2022 |
| Virgil van Dijk | £75m/2018 |
| Alisson Becker | £65m/2018 |
| Dominik Szoboszlai | £60m/2023 |
| Naby Keita | £52.75m/2018 |
The Reds paid north of £70m for Van Dijk in the first place and they’ve had excellent value from that deal, so there is form for these sorts of deal.
If Murillo is the man FSG want, then you’d imagine the money will be made available to sign him.
