Transfer Centre

Nottingham Forest to complete Nuno Tavares, Murillo double swoop?

By Andrew Delaney, Reporter | 31 August 2023

Forest to complete Tavares, Murillo double swoop?

Nottingham Forest are reportedly set to complete the double signing of defensive pair Nuno Tavares and Murillo, with the closure of the transfer window pending.

Nottingham Forest have reportedly agreed terms to bring defensive duo Nuno Tavares and Murillo to the club.

Forest have struggled to cope with injury, suspension and lack of depth in defensive areas so far this season.

After just one win from their opening four matches of the season though, manager Steve Cooper looks set to get his wish of additional reinforcements to the squad.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims that both Tavares and Murillo signed off on deals that will see them join the club on Wednesday, and all that is left pending is the confirmation from the club.

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.

Nuno Tavares in action for Arsenal in July 2022 © Reuters

A loan fee of £2m has been agreed, and there is an obligation to buy next summer for £12m included in the deal, but this is not mandatory or based on any appearance milestones.

After making 28 appearances in his debut season with the Gunners in 2021-22, Tavares was sent on loan to Marseille last season.

However, Marseille did not take up the chance to sign the Portuguese defender, and instead opted to buy Renan Lodi, who spent last season on loan with Forest.

Forest have been linked with multiple left-sided defenders and wing-backs this summer, including Lodi, as well as Monaco's Ismail Jakobs, and Filip Kostic of Juventus.

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.

Corinthians' Murillo with teammates look dejected after the match on May 26, 2023 © Reuters

Corinthians chief Alessandro has already confirmed that a bid has been made and that negotiations have taken place between the two clubs over a deal for Murillo.

An initial fee of £11.2m - rising to £13m - is said to have been agreed, with Forest also allowing a sell-on clause to be included in Murillo's contract.

The central defender only burst into the Corinthians team this year, but he has been left out of the starting XI in their last two matches amid the interest from Forest.

The 21-year-old helped the club to reach the quarter-finals of the Copa Sudamericana, but sat out their second leg defeat to Estudiantes on Tuesday night.

Joe Worrall's suspension after his red card at Old Trafford, and Scott McKenna's recent injury, meant that Serge Aurier was used as centre-back in the EFL Cup defeat to Burnley, while Willy Boly was given a first start of the season at Man United.

With Cooper using a three-at-the-back system, numbers are currently limited, with Felipe only just getting back to full fitness, so any additions to the squad will be much welcome for the manager.