Nottingham Forest have Murillo, Nikola Milenkovic, Morato and Jair Cunha as options for the central defensive positions right now.
Murillo and Milenkovic have struck up a wonderful partnership over the last two seasons but there is a bit of a drop-off when Morato or the inexperienced Cunha have to come in and play.
Oliver Glasner is keen to sign another central defender as a priority, and with that in mind, it suggests that he’s planning on operating with three central defenders.
Given the desires that Glasner has to bring a new centre-back to the football club, we’ve looked at three defenders who could be ideal for the Reds this summer.
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Chris Richards
The American is currently at Crystal Palace, and although there are no links with any Palace players at the moment, Richards was integral under Glasner at Selhurst Park.
At 26, the USA defender is at a nice age and if Glasner did decide he wanted to bring him to Forest, he would be getting a player who is currently in his prime.
Richards has made 122 appearances for Palace since arriving and also boasts 10 appearances for Bayern Munich earlier in his career.
Signing him will be hard given the contract he currently has with Palace, but if Glasner does plan to raid his former club, he might be the name at the top of the list.
Jhon Lucumi
The Colombian defender is on the back of a World Cup campaign with his country, where his team were beaten by Switzerland in the last 16.
The 28-year-old has been on the radar of Forest for a little while, with the player having a £26 million release clause which expires later this month.
The international performer has made 152 appearances for Bologna but could leave this summer with clubs across Europe chasing his signature.
Lucumi is experienced and with 42 Colombia caps to his name, it’s fair to say that Forest could do a lot worse than land the defender this summer.
John Stones
Now this one is fanciful rather than holding any substance whatsoever, with the England defender highly likely to go to a much bigger club.
Stones is vastly experienced for club and country and right now he’s playing for England at the World Cup despite technically being a free agent.
It’s not clear what sort of player Glasner wants to play at centre-back, but on a free transfer, Stones would surely be a very useful signing.
Last season, Stones spent time out injured but if he could prove that to the club this summer, there would be a lot to like about the former Manchester City star coming to the football club.
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