“Transfer Shockwave: Wolves Set Sights on £70m Defensive Ace to Replace Kilman!”

Wolverhampton Wanderers may lose important players this summer, potentially leading to a depleted squad. Gary O’Neil faced challenges last summer after losing two key midfielders before the transfer window closed.

Ruben Neves left Molineux for Saudi side Al Hilal for £47 million, a club record at the time. Matheus Nunes departed Wolves for Premier League rivals Manchester City for £53 million, breaking the club’s previous record.

Following a good season in 2023/24, O’Neil may lose more of his major stars this summer.

Electric winger Pedro Neto might leave the club, with Tottenham reportedly interested in signing the Portugal international for £60 million. According to GIVEMESPORT, Joao Gomes appears to be committed to the Midlands club. Like Neto, selling the midfielder this summer would cost £60 million, but he want to stay.

Max Kilman, the club’s captain, left for West Ham for £40 million. The team now needs to find a replacement and is looking for another Premier League player to fill the shoes of the departing skipper.

Wolves want a Premier League defender.

Murillo, a Nottingham Forest and Brazil defender, is the focus of this discussion. The centre-back had an impressive maiden season in English football, and he has since been linked with a move away from the City Ground this summer.

Journalist Ben Jacobs reported hearing hints about Wolves’ interest in Murillo. Jacobs discussed the Brazilian’s ‘very audacious’ move to fill Kilman’s vacuum.

However, they are not believed to be the only club interested in the Forest defender, as Chelsea ‘had looked at him’ this summer, and Murillo only wants to join a team that will play European football in the 2024/25 season.

Forest will likely seek a profit on the £15 million spent on the defender last summer, with some indicating he might fetch up to £70 million. That makes it extremely improbable that the Old Gold will finalize the transaction.

Why Murillo would make a terrific signing

Last season, Murillo was an important member of the Forest defense. He did not make an appearance until October, but when he did, he was a regular starter for the East Midlands club. Murillo played 32 Premier League games and provided two assists against Newcastle United and Fulham.

In a separate article on X, football commentator Ben Mattinson praised the defender, describing him as “elite on the ball” and a “dominant ground dueller”.

According to FBref, the Brazil defender ranked in the top 4% of Premier League defenders with an average of 0.19 through balls per 90 minutes last season. Murillo also averaged 1.13 attempted take-ons and 0.65 completions per game. Both measures placed him among the top 3% of positionally similar players.

Indeed, the Brazilian would replace Kilman, who was one of the Premier League’s top box defenders last season. However, based on their FBref data, it could be a suitable substitute for the former Wolves captain.

In 2023/24, Murillo outperformed Kilman in both clearances (6.06) and combined tackles and interceptions (2.81 per 90). In comparison, the new West Ham player made an average of 4.79 clearances and 2.26 combined tackles and interceptions, which was marginally less than the Forest defense.

The Brazilian also has a little advantage over Kilman in terms of ball recoveries, with 4.71 to the Englishman’s 4.66 per 90. Surprisingly, Kilman wins aerial duels. The former Wolves captain won an average of 2.26 aerial duels per game, while Murillo won 1.23.

Bringing Murillo in as a direct replacement would be audacious, but a wonderful move by Wolves. While it may not be the easiest deal to pull off, it would be a tremendous statement of intent from O’Neil’s end, demonstrating how well they are reinvesting all of their profits from significant sales.

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