Regardless of whether Virgil van Dijk stays at Liverpool beyond this season, the club appears to be preparing for his eventual departure.
The Dutch defender has yet to renew his contract, and there is no clear indication of whether he will leave when it expires at the end of the 2024/25 season.
Liverpool may have already identified a potential successor, with reports suggesting “serious interest” in Nottingham Forest center-back Murillo.
Despite signing a contract extension with Forest until 2029, the 22-year-old Brazilian is reportedly open to a transfer if the two clubs can reach an agreement. However, Forest are unwilling to negotiate for anything less than £80 million.
Liverpool could face competition for Murillo’s signature, as Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain have also shown interest.
While Forest would prefer to retain a key player, they are likely to demand a hefty transfer fee if Murillo decides to move.
For now, van Dijk remains Liverpool’s captain, but with significant squad changes looming, his future remains uncertain.
