Real Madrid join Chelsea, Manchester United in race for Premier League defender | OneFootball

Real Madrid are in the market for a new central defender heading into the summer transfer window, with Lille youngster Leny Yoro being identified as the preferred option.

The Merengues are considered to be the best-placed club to sign the French teenager, but Lille’s transfer fee demands could end up becoming a hurdle.

As such, it would not be imprudent of the club to keep a list of alternatives handy in case things do not according to plans with their pursuit of Yoro.

Real Madrid interested in Murillo

Now, Mundo Deportivo reports that Real Madrid have shown an interest in signing Nottingham Forest defensive prospect Murillo in the summer.

Murillo, 21, joined the Premier League club from Brazilian outfit Corinthians in the summer of 2023 and has become a regular fixture in the defensive line. He has featured 31 times in all competitions, even registering two assists.

Murillo’s progression over the past eight months or so has not gone unnoticed with a number of top clubs casting glances towards the centre-back.

Murillo is a man in demand. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Real Madrid are among those interested, with a new centre-back on the club’s agenda as Nacho Fernandez is staring at an uncertain future while David Alaba will be returning from ACL injury at the start of the next season.

Plenty of competition

Real Madrid, however, are not the only top club in pursuit of Murillo, though. Premier League clubs Chelsea and Manchester United are also gunning for the 21-year-old defender’s signing.

Liverpool, too, are among the interested parties while Real Madrid’s arch-rivals, Barcelona, are understood to be in the hunt as well.

Murillo’s contract with Nottingham Forest runs until the summer of 2028 and any move for him will likely be a costly affair.

For now, though, it is Leny Yoro who is the priority target for Real Madrid to strengthen the centre-back department.