Liverpool transfer news as Reds fall behind Chelsea in race to sign defender

The latest Liverpool transfer news and rumors as the Reds reportedly battle Chelsea for Murillo, while there is a fresh update on RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande

Murillo of Nottingham Forest continues to impress(Image: © 2026 SOPA Images)

Liverpool has reportedly fallen behind Chelsea in the race to sign Nottingham Forest star Murillo this summer.

Murillo emerged as one of the most exciting young defenders in the Premier League last season, as Forest ended the campaign by qualifying for the Europa League. The 23-year-old – like Forest – is not enjoying as good a season this time around, but he remains a highly rated defender in the English top flight.

Both Chelsea and Liverpool could be in the market for a new center-back in the summer, and Football Insider reports that Chelsea is determined to beat Liverpool in the race to sign Murillo after missing out to the Reds on Jeremy Jacquet.

Chelsea was widely reported to be the frontrunner to sign Jacquet during the January transfer window, but Liverpool ended up striking an agreement for the 19-year-old Frenchman to move to Anfield in the summer.

Murillo will almost certainly leave Forest if the club is relegated to the Championship at the end of the season – Forest currently finds itself in 17th position in the standings and is onto its fourth permanent manager of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Liverpool is reportedly best-placed to win the race to sign Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig in the offseason.

RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande is having a breakthrough season(Image: Getty Images)

The 19-year-old forward has emerged as one of the Bundesliga's most exciting forwards this season, registering nine goals and six assists in 24 appearances in all competitions.

TEAMtalk reports that Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal are all keen on the youngster, while there is also interest from French club Paris Saint-Germain.

Liverpool's interest is said to be at a more advanced stage than any of the other clubs that are interested in Diomande.

Meanwhile, over the weekend, Diomande moved to clarify recent comments he made about Liverpool, after he suggested that it was his dream to play for the Reds.

Speaking on a live stream in January, Diomande said: "I want to play at Anfield, I want to play for Liverpool. I’m a big fan of Liverpool.

"I’m a big fan of Liverpool because my father’s dream is to see me play at Anfield. So that’s my dream. You know, to fulfil my father’s dream is a dream for me too."

Diomande, though, has now claimed those quotes were taken out of context, saying: "People made it out to be my dream club. But first and foremost, it’s my dad’s favorite club.

"It was always his great wish to see me there someday because he loves the atmosphere at Anfield. He always raved about Steven Gerrard. I was too young to see him play. We didn’t even have a TV at home for a long time. I have a lot of respect for Liverpool, but my dream club right now is Leipzig."